Reading 3 Text 01-10 by Khrisna

READING 3

TEXT 1

Nat Turner was born in Virginia in 1800. As a young man, he organized a group of fellow slaves in a violent uprising in which eighty-five whites were killed. Turner said that he had heard a voice in 1828 that told him ‘the last shall be the first.” He considered this experience and solar eclipse three years later as signs to begin the insurrection for which he was tried, convicted, and hanged.

1. Nat Turner was …
1. a politician c. a slave
2. an astronomer d. a farmer
2. What happened to Turner in 1828?
1. He heard a voice c. He organized an uprising
2. He saw a solar eclipse d. He was convicted and hanged
3. You can infer from the text that Nat Turner was …
1. Intelligent c. superstitious
2. Popular d. creative

TEXT 2

The United States of America developed from a predominantly rural nation at the end of the Civil War in 1865 to the world’s largest and wealthiest industrial power by the time it entered World War I in 1917. Among the key factors to this major transformation were a huge population increase, discovery and exploration of enormous mineral resources, consolidation of the vast Great Plains and Western settlements, and the construction of the extensive railroad networks to service industrial, agricultural, and population growth.

1. This passage is mainly about …
1. why the US entered World War I.
2. how the US became an industrial power.
3. how the Great Plains and the West were settled.
4. why the railroads were built.
2. In 1917 the US …
1. became involved in a war.
2. discovered minerals in the Southwest.
3. ended its civil war.
4. became a wealthy country.
3. You can infer from the text that between 1865 and 1917, many people …
1. left the cities c. died in the war
2. went to work by train d. moved to the cities

TEXT 3

Despite predictions that the twenty-sixth American Amendment to the United States Constitution would bring on radical changes in American politics, very little effect was felt, as few young people aged between 18 and 21 actually want to vote, and those who do vote show voting patterns similar to those of older voters.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the Twenty-sixth Amendment …
1. was ratified recently c. gave the young the right to vote
2. greatly affected politics d. doubled the numbers of voters
2. The Twenty-sixth Amendment did not greatly affect politics because large numbers of young people …
1. vote differently from the older people
2. do not know how to vote
3. do not understand the Constitution
4. do not want to vote

TEXT 4

The wild turkey existed in great numbers when the settlers first arrived in America. During the first half of the century, however, their numbers decreased do rapidly that they can no longer be found in some states. The ax, the plow, and the gun are blamed for the decline of the wild turkey. Recent game propagation laws prohibit the shooting of anything but the bearded birds, usually males, to protect the brooding hens.

1. The passage says that at present wild turkeys are …
1. decreasing in number c. bearded birds
2. easy to shoot d. increasing in number
2. The decline of the wild turkey was a result of …
1. Lumberjacks c. hunters
2. Farmers d. all of the above
3. The law allows hunters to kill …
1. brooding hens c. wild turkeys
2. bearded birds d. anything they want

TEXT 5

There is fear that short-term interest rates could rice in the next month as the Federal Reserve attempts to reduce growth in the money supply by reducing reserves in the banks. A crucial issue is whether money supply increases forecasted for September will be temporary or part of a fundamental increase in the public’s demand for money. The former would improve the chances for renewed interest rate declines, whereas the latter would indicate stable or higher interest rates.

1. You may infer that this item appeared in …
1. the entertainment section of a newspaper
2. the business section of a newspaper
3. a television newscast
4. a current textbook
2. Money supply increases will be temporary and would …
1. indicate higher interest rates
2. improve the chances for interest rate declines
3. create fear in the market
4. increase public demand for money

3. The Federal Reserve reduces the money reserves in order to …
1. reduce money supply
2. reduce interest rates
3. forecast future events in the stock market
4. increase public demand for money

TEXT 6

What is the best way for you, as an employer, to deliver bad news to an employee? First, you have to break the news yourself, face to face with the recipient. You cannot write memos to tell people they will not get raises this year or that they have made an error or are not performing as well as expected. You have to show them how you feel about the matter and that you are personally sorry and sympathize with them. If you indicate that you are ready to listen to their reactions to your bad news, you will undoubtedly save yourself from their wrath. Above all, you must be ready for an emotional reaction from the recipient of bad news. Give people time to digest your news and to control the emotion they invariably feel. Although it is never easy to break bad news, if you follow these steps, you will at least soften the blow.

1. The author main idea is that …
1. bad news is hard to impart
2. all employers have to criticize their employees
3. there are ways of softening the impact of bad news
4. people respond emotionally to bad news
2. Where is the main idea expressed?
1. in the first sentence c. in the middle of the paragraph
2. in the last sentence d. nowhere
3. The main idea is supported by …
1. examples of employers giving bad news
2. a list of reasons for having to break bad news
3. sympathy for both the employer and employee
4. instructions on how to soften the blow of bad news

TEXT 7

Left-handed people suffer more from stress than their right-handed peers, according to a study of 1,100 adults by University of Michigan researchers. As a result, they smoke and drink more. Fifty-five percent of the lefties smoked, whereas fewer than half of the righties smoked. Furthermore, the lefties consumed more alcohol per year than the right-handed counterparts.

1. The author’s intent is …
1. to show the effects smoking and drinking on left-handed people
2. to encourage people to stop drinking and smoking, especially if they’re left-handed
3. to show that the left-handed people suffer more from stress that right-handed people
4. unclear
2. The author’s attitude toward the subject is …
1. favorable
2. unfavorable
3. unclear
3. After reading this paragraph, the reader would …
1. have a favorable opinion
2. have an unfavorable opinion
3. need more information to form an opinion

TEXT 8

Dear Sandy,

I am worried sick about my husband. Ten years ago he was drinking so much that our marriage was foundering. Realizing he was ruining his life and his children’s and mine, he went to an Alcoholic’s anonymous. Within months, he was a new man; healthy, happy, a wonderful husband and father. He forswore drinking forever. Recently, however, he read some place that alcoholic could drink a little if they did so cautiously. It’s like a nightmare. His boss is ready to fire him, the children have moved out, and our marriage is once again in the brink of dissolving in alcohol. Is it possible for a reformed alcoholic to drink moderately?

Depressed in Milwaukee

Dear Depressed,

No, it’s not possible for an alcoholic to drink moderately. Alcoholism is a disease for which the only cure is complete abstinence. Research with thousands of subjects has proven conclusively than an alcoholic should not drink at all; he has no more control over his drinking that he would over a ferocious bear. Unless your husband returns to AA for help, your woes will never cease.

1. The author is writing to …
1. nervous diseases doctor
2. a newspaper columnist who gives advice to readers
3. Alcoholics Anonymous to enroll her husband
4. A lawyer to get a divorce
2. The reply to the letter is based upon …
1. the writer’s disdain for alcoholism
2. objective proof
3. personal experience
4. subjective data

3. According to this reading, an alcoholic at a cocktail party …
1. could have no more than one drink
2. wouldn’t be a good host
3. couldn’t take his wife with him
4. had better drink water in a highball glass
4. Presumably the alcoholic can get help from …
1. his wife c. his lawyer
2. his children d. none of the above
5. An alcoholic can control his drinking. True or false? …
6. How did you know the answer to question number 5?
1. It was stated in the text
2. It was implied in the text
3. The reading did not give the necessary information

TEXT 9

Dear Sandy,

I wrote to you lat year about my suspicions of my husband and our next door neighbor, the widow Talbot. You never answered, and now I really need your help.

My husband and I have been married for ten years. We have three beautiful children, a house with a pool in a lovely suburban development, and I don’t go out to work because I think children need their mother; don’t you? Two years ago the widow Talbot moved into the house next door, and our children and hers became the best of friends. Feeling sorry for the lonely widow, I invited her and her family over for barbecues and other social events. All is proceeding well until the widow began to ask my husband to do little hoe repair jobs, like fixing the air conditioning, the leaky faucets, and the furnace.

Now I have found that her house has been in perfect condition. She and my husband have been carrying on at her house. I wondered why she always sent her children over to play with ours when he was “making repairs.” Well, now I know. Our phone was out of order one day while he was there, and I went over to use hers and found my husband was in her arms. I am frantic. I’m sure he loves me and the little ones. What should I do? Should I get a divorce?

Distraught in Detroit

Dear Distraught,

You sound like a devoted mother. We all know that divorce is very hard on everyone, especially the kids. I recommend that you talk over the situation with your husband. After ten years of marriage, surely you can reach an understanding about the widow Talbot. Try cooking his favorite food and pampering him a bit more than usual to woo him back to you. If your own efforts fail, you should make an appointment with a professional marriage counselor to discuss the situation.

1. The author of this letter is writing to …
1. a marriage counselor c. lovelorn columnist
2. her mother d. her lawyer

2. The reply to the letter is based upon the writer’s …
1. dislike of flirtatious widows
2. desire to protect the children
3. wide experience with such marital problems
4. impatience with a silly wife
3. According to the letter from “Distraught,” the widow …
1. was lying about needing home repairs
2. bought a run-down house
3. was monogamous
4. had a telephone that worked
4. “Distraught” is advised to …
1. prepare the children for the divorce
2. pamper the widow
3. see the lawyer
4. give her husband special care and attention
5. How did you get the answer to question number 4?
1. a. It was stated in the text
2. It was implied in the text
3. The reading did not give the necessary information
6. You can infer from the text that “Distraught” and her husband …
1. are always kind to stranger c. have a comfortable income
2. are careless of their children d. enjoy cooking outdoors

TEXT 10

Dear X,

My engine cranks alright. But why won’t it stat up?

Jessie in Denver

Jessie in Denver,

Think twice. Are you following the exact starting procedure given in you owner’s manual? Next, pin down the trouble area by checking these possibilities: (1) gasoline, (2) spark, and (3) air-gasoline ratio.

First, make sure that you have gasoline in tank. If that’s not the problem, maybe you have flooded the engine. Hold the gas pedal to the floor for 10 seconds (do not pump it) as you crank the engine.

Still no start? Maybe the problem is a stuck needle valve. Tap the carburetor bowl lightly near the gas line using pliers or a screwdriver handle. This should free the valve so you can start. But if nothing has done the trick so far, move to the next step.

Next, check to see if the engine is getting the spark it needs to start. First, look for loose or broken spark plug wires. Fix what you can.

If the wires look alright, make a detailed check for a spark. Twist one spark plug boot away from its plug. Push an insulated screwdriver into the boot. Hold the shank of the screwdriver about 1/8 inch away from a metal engine part. Have someone crank the engine. (Be sure you keep your hands away from the screwdriver shank and the wire to avoid shock.) You’ll see a small spark if the ignition system is working. No spark? Get help. (Caution: if there is any gasoline on the engine, be sure you let it evaporate before you try this test.) If you see a spark, you have eliminated that as a possibility. Move to the next step.

Finally, find out if the carburetor is feeding sufficient air and gasoline to the engine. Remove the top of the air cleaner so you can see the choke plat. If the plate is stuck open, push it shut (only if the engine is cold) and try to start again.

Still no start? Hold the choke wide open and peer deep inside as someone pumps the gas pedal. If you see gas squirting. You need professional help.

1. This type of selection is …
1. scientific reading c. editorial writing
2. a “how-to” article d. automobile advertising
2. The author’s intent is to …
1. explain why cars break down
2. warn you about the dangers involved in do-it yourself car repairs
3. describe the method of checking spark plugs
4. instruct you how to deal with a car problem
3. If you check for a spark and don’t get one, what should you do?
1. Check the carburetor next
2. Get an auto mechanic
3. Clean the gas off the motor
4. Get a shock
4. What is the first thing to do when your car doesn’t start?
1. Check your gas
2. Flood the engine
3. Contact your automobile salesman
4. Be sure you’re following the rules for starting the car.
5. If you are testing a for spark, gas on the engine is dangerous …
1. because it might start the car
2. when it has evaporated
3. after it leaks out of the carburetor
4. because the spark might ignite the gas
6. You should use an insulated screwdriver to …
1. protect the engine
2. avoid scratching the metal
3. avoid getting a shock
4. twist the spark plug boot
7. You can unstuck the valve by …
1. taking it out
2. avoid cutting yourself
3. loosening it
4. twisting it
8. It can be inferred that a carburetor …
1. is connected to the spark plug
2. cranks the engine
3. regulates gas and air flow
4. has an open plate

9. If the engine is cold, it is all right to …
1. try to start the car
2. close the choke plate
3. take off the air cleaner
4. pump the gas pedal
10. The choke plate is …
1. next to the gas tank
2. above the air cleaner
3. beneath the air cleaner
4. inside the spark plug