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READING PRACTICE 1

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 27mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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.


1. It is pointed out in the reading that opera ----.

a)

has developed under the influence of musical theatre

b)

is a drama sung with the accompaniment of an orchestra

c)

is not a high-budget production

d)

is often performed in Europe

e)

is the most complex of all the performing arts

2.

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 ----

a)

people are captivated more by opera than musical theatre

b)

drama in opera is more important than the music

c)

orchestras in operas can vary considerably in size

d)

musical theatre relies above all on music

e)

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

3.

Stonehenge is an ancient monument situated about ten miles north of Salisbury in England. It was built about 4500 years ago, but by whom and for what purpose remains a mystery. The builders must have known of geometry. They may have been influenced by the Mycenaeans, whose architecture was similar. Some of the stones must have been brought from West Wales, over 135 miles away. These stones weigh more than fifty tons. They may have been brought on rafts and rollers. Experts say that it must have taken 1500 men more than five years to transport them. Stonehenge was probably built in three stages. First, settlers from continental Europe built a temple for sun worship. Later the "Beaker" people added the stone circles. Finally, people of the Wessex Culture transformed Stonehenge into an observatory. They could calculate the exact time of Midsummer and Midwinter and of equinoxes


We understand from the passage that the construction of the Stonehenge ----

a)

began 135 miles away from Salisbury

b)

is thought to have taken place in more than one stage

c)

was first documented by the Mycenaeans

d)

is not a mystery that needs to be solved

e)

was completed in less than five years

4.

Stonehenge is an ancient monument situated about ten miles north of Salisbury in England. It was built about 4500 years ago, but by whom and for what purpose remains a mystery. The builders must have known of geometry. They may have been influenced by the Mycenaeans, whose architecture was similar. Some of the stones must have been brought from West Wales, over 135 miles away. These stones weigh more than fifty tons. They may have been brought on rafts and rollers. Experts say that it must have taken 1500 men more than five years to transport them. Stonehenge was probably built in three stages. First, settlers from continental Europe built a temple for sun worship. Later the "Beaker" people added the stone circles. Finally, people of the Wessex Culture transformed Stonehenge into an observatory. They could calculate the exact time of Midsummer and Midwinter and of equinoxes


It is pointed out in the reading that the Stonehenge ----.

a)

was built by the Mycenaeans, who were very advanced in geometry

b)

probably has religious origins, possibly for worship of the sun

c)

had no astrological purposes

d)

was erected thousands of years ago in West Wales

e)

is still used to calculate the changes of the seasons

5.

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 ----.

a)

thinks that it is the brain which contains the intelligence

b)

died in his sixties

c)

observed only birds and fish

d)

is both a great philosopher and a biologist

e)

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

6.

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.


A Greek scientist, Galen ----.

a)

became more successful than Aristotle

b)

studied the exterior parts of the body

c)

sometimes depended more on his ideas than observation

d)

lived in Greece during his whole life-time

e)

adapted the works of Aristotle

7.

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 can be inferred from the passage that ----.

a)

there is a strong link between Galen and Aristotle in terms of friendship

b)

Galen studied the external part of the body while Aristotle studied the internal part

c)

the studies of Aristotle couldn't satisfy the expectations of people

d)

Galen and Aristotle have been influential in the following centuries

e)

people never trusted the knowledge of Galen

8.

Homer was a Greek epic poet. Both the date and the place of his birth and death are not known precisely, but recent research suggests a date between 1050 and 800 BC. It has even been claimed that no such man as Homer existed and that The Iliad and The Odyssey are collections of traditional ballads and not the work of one man. In any event they were known all over the Greek-speaking world before the sixth century BC. The Iliad is an epic poem dealing with the siege of Troy by the Greeks. The Odyssey describes the wandering of Odysseus, a Greek seafarer, on his way back to Ithaca after the fall of Troy.


We can infer from the passage that ----.

a)

it's not definite when and where Homer was born

b)

Homer only deals with poetry

c)

recent research shows the impossibility of finding Homer's birth date

d)

some suggest that he was born in 800 BC

e)

Homer's birth place is known but his date of birth is still unknown

9.

Homer was a Greek epic poet. Both the date and the place of his birth and death are not known precisely, but recent research suggests a date between 1050 and 800 BC. It has even been claimed that no such man as Homer existed and that The Iliad and The Odyssey are collections of traditional ballads and not the work of one man. In any event they were known all over the Greek-speaking world before the sixth century BC. The Iliad is an epic poem dealing with the siege of Troy by the Greeks. The Odyssey describes the wandering of Odysseus, a Greek seafarer, on his way back to Ithaca after the fall of Troy.


The Odyssey ----.

a)

belongs to another poet rather than Homer

b)

explains the voyage of a sailor

c)

has no connection with the Iliad

d)

doesn't have a specific protagonist

e)

is an anonymous work of the Greek nation

10.

Homer was a Greek epic poet. Both the date and the place of his birth and death are not known precisely, but recent research suggests a date between 1050 and 800 BC. It has even been claimed that no such man as Homer existed and that The Iliad and The Odyssey are collections of traditional ballads and not the work of one man. In any event they were known all over the Greek-speaking world before the sixth century BC. The Iliad is an epic poem dealing with the siege of Troy by the Greeks. The Odyssey describes the wandering of Odysseus, a Greek seafarer, on his way back to Ithaca after the fall of Troy.


The works of Homer ----.

a)

have no potential readers

b)

deal with the siege of Troy by the Greeks

c)

have been thought to have different writers

d)

are collections of traditional ballads

e)

have affected the 6th century people in terms of life style

11.

Early man know about the natural fire of lightning and volcanoes long before he began to use fire himself. He didn't know what fire was, but he had seen the damage it could cause. Fire was powerful and dangerous, and so he was frightened. Greek legend tells how Prometheus stole fire from God Zeus, and brought it to Earth for man to use. Zeus was very angry. He ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock. Every day an eagle pecked out his liver, and every night his liver grew again. So Prometheus suffered a terrible punishment for his deed. The name "Prometheus" means "the fore thinker". One Greek philosopher wrote that all arts, all skills, men owe to the fore-thinker. By this he meant that civilisation is founded on fire and using fire. When man eventually learned how to use fire, he guarded it carefully. Some ancient peoples worshipped fire as a goddess. Even when man learned to make fire whenever he liked, often kept sacred fires burning.


It's obvious from the passage that Prometheus ----.

a)

doesn't mean a person who thinks beforehand

b)

was able to protect himself from the eagle

c)

intended to bring fire from the sky for human

d)

ordered the gods to be chained to a rock

e)

was worshiped as a god by ancient people

12.

Early man know about the natural fire of lightning and volcanoes long before he began to use fire himself. He didn't know what fire was, but he had seen the damage it could cause. Fire was powerful and dangerous, and so he was frightened. Greek legend tells how Prometheus stole fire from God Zeus, and brought it to Earth for man to use. Zeus was very angry. He ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock. Every day an eagle pecked out his liver, and every night his liver grew again. So Prometheus suffered a terrible punishment for his deed. The name "Prometheus" means "the fore thinker". One Greek philosopher wrote that all arts, all skills, men owe to the fore-thinker. By this he meant that civilisation is founded on fire and using fire. When man eventually learned how to use fire, he guarded it carefully. Some ancient peoples worshipped fire as a goddess. Even when man learned to make fire whenever he liked, often kept sacred fires burning.


It is made clear in the passage that ----.

a)

fire enabled early man to live in peace

b)

a bird of prey eats an organ of Prometheus

c)

Prometheus is regarded as an hero by all Greek people

d)

man never realised how to use the advantages of fire

e)

when an eagle pecked out Prometheus' liver, he no longer survived

13.

Early man know about the natural fire of lightning and volcanoes long before he began to use fire himself. He didn't know what fire was, but he had seen the damage it could cause. Fire was powerful and dangerous, and so he was frightened. Greek legend tells how Prometheus stole fire from God Zeus, and brought it to Earth for man to use. Zeus was very angry. He ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock. Every day an eagle pecked out his liver, and every night his liver grew again. So Prometheus suffered a terrible punishment for his deed. The name "Prometheus" means "the fore thinker". One Greek philosopher wrote that all arts, all skills, men owe to the fore-thinker. By this he meant that civilisation is founded on fire and using fire. When man eventually learned how to use fire, he guarded it carefully. Some ancient peoples worshipped fire as a goddess. Even when man learned to make fire whenever he liked, often kept sacred fires burning.


A Greek philosopher thinks that ----.

a)

if Prometheus hadn't stolen fire from Zeus, there wouldn't have been a civilisation

b)

Prometheus can't exactly imagine what will happen in the future

c)

man has not got the ability to use fire

d)

Zeus can't have punished Prometheus

e)

Prometheus is the most evil creature

14.
Naval architects never claim that a ship is unsinkable, but the sinking of the passenger-and-car ferry Estonia in the Baltic surely should have never have happened. It was well designed and carefully maintained. It carried the proper number of lifeboats. It had been thoroughly inspected the day of its fatal voyage. Yet hours later, the Estonia rolled over and sank in a cold, stormy night. It went down so quickly that most of those on board, caught in their dark, flooding cabins, had no chance to save themselves: Of those who managed to scramble overboard, only 139 survived. The rest died of hypothermia before the rescuers could pluck them from the cold sea. The final death toll amounted to 912 souls. However, there were an unpleasant number of questions about why the Estonia sank and why so many survivors were men in the prime of life, while most of the dead were women, children and the elderly.
One can understand from the reading that ---
a)
the lifesaving equipment did not work well and lifeboats could not be
 lowered
b)
design faults and incompetent crew contributed to the sinking of the
 Estonia ferry
c)
naval architects claimed that the Estonia was unsinkable
d)
most victims were trapped inside the boat as they were in their cabins
15.
Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water has been a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plow in the nineteenth century. By the 1930s, more than 282 million acres of farmland were damaged by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production. In the years ahead, soil erosion and the pollution problems it causes are likely to replace petroleum scarcity as the nation's most critical natural resource problem.
As we understand from the reading, today, soil erosion in America ----.
a)
causes humans to place new demands on the land
b)
is worse than it was in the nineteenth century
c)
happens so slowly that it is hardly noticed
d)
is the most critical problem that the nation faces
16.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Yellowstone National Park is mainly located in Wyoming, although three percent is located in the state of Montana. The Continental Divide of North America runs diagonally through the southwestern part of the park. The park sits on the Yellowstone Plateau, which is an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. This plateau is bounded on nearly all sides by mountain ranges. There are 290 waterfalls that are at least fifteen feet in the park, the highest being the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, which falls 308 feet.

a)

Why to visit Wyoming

b)

Yellowstone Park's beautiful water falls

c)

The continental Divide of North America

d)

Physical features of the Yellowstone Park

17.

Getting paid for good grades is sending a mixed message to our kids. By paying kids for getting A's, we are showing them that you should only work hard in life so that you can be rewarded with money. But this isn't always the case. Sometimes you should work hard , becausee it is the right and expected thing to do. You should be giving %100 of your effort in school because it is the responsible thing to do, not because you are getting paid for it. Students should be working hard to learn skills that will help them as an adult, not working hard for the purpose of making money. Working hard is just a part of life.

What is the author's point of view?

a)

We should pay students for good grades to teach them important life lessons.

b)

We shouldn't pay students for good grades, they should want to work hard because it is the right thing to do.

c)

Working hard is important.

d)

Being responsible is important.

18.

Good ideas often start with a really silly question. Bill Bowerman was making breakfast one day. As he stood there making waffle for his son, he wondered what would happen if he poured rubber into his waffle iron. So, he tried it and the result looked something like the bottom of most sport shoes we see today. Still, when he took this idea to several existing shoe companies he was literally laughed at. In fact, every single company turned him down. Though rather disappointed, Bowerman was determined and went on to form his own company, making Nike athletic shoes. It can be concluded from the text that ….

a)

a waffle iron became a tool in making shoes

b)

inventions often occur during breakfast

c)

curiosity can lead to a great invention

d)

Nike shoes are the first sport shoes