Đáp án Tiêng Anh Đọc Hiểu Thi Công Chức Quảng Nam

TÀI LIỆU ÔN THI CÔNG CHỨC HÀNH CHÍNH TỈNH QUẢNG NAM NĂM 2016
MÔN: TIẾNG ANH – Phần đọc hiểu
C1.
All spiders spin webs. That's because webs help spiders. Webs help spiders do
three things. Webs help spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders hide. And webs
help spiders catch food. Webs help spiders hold eggs. Many spiders like to lay
their eggs in their webs. The webs help keep the eggs together. Webs help
spiders keep their eggs safe. Webs help spiders hide. Most spiders are dark.
They are brown, grey, or black. But spider webs are light. They are white and
cloudy. When spiders hide in their webs, they are harder to see. Webs help
spiders catch food. Spider webs are sticky. When a bug flies into the web, it gets
stuck. It moves around. It tries to get out. But it can't. It is trapped! Spiders can
tell that the bug is trapped. That's because spiders feel the web move. And the
spider is hungry. The spider goes to get the bug. As you can see, webs help
spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders hide. And webs help spiders catch food.
Without webs, spiders would not be able to live like they do. Spiders need their
webs to survive.
1) This passage is mostly about
A. spider colors
B. spider webs
C. spider eggs
2) Spider webs help spiders
I. hold eggs
II. catch food
III. find water
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I, II, and III
3) As used in paragraph 4, the word trapped most nearly means
A. stuck
B. hidden

C. eaten
4) How can spiders tell when something is trapped in their web?


A. They hear it.
B. They smell it.
C. They feel it.
5) As used in the last sentence of the passage, the word survive means to stay
A. alive
B. hidden
C. caught
C2.
Most human beings are awake during the day and sleep all night. Owls live the
opposite way. Owls are nocturnal. This means that they sleep all day and stay
awake at night. Because owls are nocturnal, this means they must eat at night.
But finding food in the dark is difficult. To help them, they have special eyes and
ears. Owls have very large eyes. These eyes absorb more light than normal.
Since there is little light during the night, it is helpful to be able to absorb more of
it. This helps owls find food in the dark. Owls also have very good hearing. Even
when owls are in the trees, they can hear small animals moving in the grass
below. This helps owls catch their prey even when it is very dark. Like owls, mice
are also nocturnal animals. Mice have an excellent sense of smell. This helps
them find food in the dark. Being nocturnal helps mice to hide from the many
different animals that want to eat them. Most of the birds, snakes, and lizards that
like to eat mice sleep at night—except, of course, owls! Some animals are
nocturnal. This means they are active at night. The owl and the mouse are good
examples of nocturnal animals that use their senses to find food in the dark.
1) In paragraph 1, we learn that "Owls are nocturnal." The word diurnal is the opposite
of the word nocturnal. Using information in the passage as a guide, we can understand
that an animal that is diurnal

A. sleeps at night and is awake during the day
B. hunts during the day and is awake at night
C. sleeps every other night and is awake during the day
D. hunts during the day and night
2) Based on information in paragraph 2, it can be understood that an animal with small
eyes
A. must be diurnal
B. has trouble seeing in the dark


C. can see very well at night
D. is likely to be eaten by an owl
3) According to the passage, owls can find food in the dark using their sense of
I. sight
II. sound
III. smell
A. l only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
4) In paragraph 3 the author writes, "This helps owls catch their prey even when it is
very dark." Based on its use in the passage, we can understand that prey is
A. a noise that an animal makes during the night
B. a small animal such as a pet dog or cat
C. an animal that is hunted by other animals
D. an animals that hunts other animals
5) Based on information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that mice sleep
during the day in order to
A. find food that other animals can not
B. keep themselves safe

C. store energy for night time activities
D. release stress
6) Based on information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that
A. owls hunt mice
B. mice can hide from owls
C. mice and owls both hide from birds, snakes, and lizards
D. birds and snakes often hunt lizards
7) If added to the end of this passage, which of the following conclusions would fit best?


A. The owl is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night. The owl's excellent
sense of sight and sound enable it to find food in the dark.
B. Mice are nocturnal animals. This means they are active at night. Similar to the owl,
mice use their excellent sense of smell to find food in the dark.
C. Both mice and owls are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. Because these
animals are active at night, they must sleep during the day. This makes them especially
vulnerable to attack from diurnal animals.
D. Some animals are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. The owl and the
mouse are good examples of nocturnal animals that use their senses to find food in
the dark.
C3.
When we are young, we learn that tigers and sharks are dangerous animals. We
might be scared of them because they are big and powerful. As we get older;
however, we learn that sometimes the most dangerous animals are also the
smallest animals. In fact, the animal that kills the most people every year is one
that you have probably killed yourself many times: the mosquito. While it may
seem that all mosquitoes are biters, this is not actually the case. Male
mosquitoes eat plant nectar. On the other hand, female mosquitoes feed on
animal blood. They need this blood to live and produce eggs. When a female
mosquito bites a human being, it transmits a small amount of saliva into the

blood. This saliva may or may not contain a deadly disease. The result of the bite
can be as minor as an itchy bump or as serious as death. Because a mosquito
can bite many people in the course of its life, it can carry diseases from one
person to another very easily. Two of the most deadly diseases carried by
mosquitoes are malaria and yellow fever. Mosquitoes have many natural
enemies like bats, birds, dragonflies, and certain kinds of fish. Bringing more of
these animals into places where mosquitoes live might help to cut down the
amount of mosquitoes in that area. This is a natural solution, but it does not
always work very well. Mosquitoes can also be killed with poisons or sprays.
Even though these sprays kill mosquitoes, they may also harm other plants or
animals.
Questions
1) According to the author, some people are more afraid of tigers and sharks than
mosquitoes because tigers and sharks
A. kill more people than mosquitoes
B. are big and powerful
C. are found all over the world
D. have no natural enemies


2) Based on the information in paragraph 2, we can understand that
I. male mosquitoes and female mosquitoes have different eating habits
II. male mosquitoes are harmless to humans
III. female mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting diseases to humans
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
3) In paragraph 2 the author writes, "This saliva may or may not contain a deadly
disease." The purpose of this statement is to

A. oppose a previous argument
B. question an upcoming conclusion
C. confirm a hypothesis
D. support a later statement
4) As used in paragraph 2, minor most nearly means
A. insignificant
B. deadly
C. frustrating
D. dangerous
5) Based on information in paragraph 3, it can be understood that if you get sick with
malaria or yellow fever, your chances of survival are
A. terrible
B. mediocre
C. good
D. excellent
6) It can be understood that the introduction of dragonflies might reduce the number of
flies in a given area because dragonflies
A. work together with mosquitoes
B. kill mosquitoes


C. cannot be killed by poisons or sprays
D. attract bats
7) Which of the following best summarizes the information in paragraph 4?
A. Mosquito nets provide adequate protection from deadly mosquitoes.
B. Poisons and sprays provide adequate protection from deadly mosquitoes.
C. The introduction of the mosquito's natural enemies provides adequate protection
from deadly mosquitoes.
D. There is no perfect solution to the mosquito problem.
8) Which of the following words best describes the author's overall attitude towards the

prospect of solving the mosquito problem?
A. despondent, meaning hopeless or dejected
B. exasperated, meaning extremely irritated or annoyed
C. equivocal, meaning doubtful or uncertain
D. optimistic, meaning hopeful or taking a favorable view
C4.
Rainforests circle the globe for twenty degrees of latitude on both sides of the
equator. In that relatively narrow band of the planet, more than half of all the
species of plants and animals in the world make their home. Several hundred
different varieties of trees may grow in a single acre, and just one of those trees
may be the habitat for more than ten thousand kinds of spiders, ants, and other
insects. More species of amphibians, birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles live in
rainforests than anywhere else on earth. Unfortunately, half of the world’s
rainforests have already been destroyed, and at the current rate, another 25
percent will be lost by the year 2030. Scientists estimate that as many as fifty
million acres are destroyed annually. In other words, every sixty seconds, one
hundred acres of rainforest is being cleared. By the time you finish reading this
passage, two hundred acres will have been destroyed! When this happens,
constant rains erode the former forest floor, the thin layer of soil no longer
supports plant life, and the ecology of the region is altered forever. Thousands of
species of plants and animals are condemned to extinction and since we aren’t
able to predict the ramifications of this loss to a delicate global ecology, we don’t
know what we may be doing to the future of the human species as well.


C5.
Should women find their happiness inside or outside the home? In the United
States people used to believe the saying, “A woman’s place is in the home.” But
now both women and society are changing. More than fifty percent of American
women continue their work even after they are married. What has brought about

these changes? What is happening to the American family today? Up until the
1950’s a typical American woman got married in her early 20’s. In those days she
quit her job and became a mother. “A woman’s place is in the home” was a
popular saying. Most women felt that taking care of their home and family was
their full-time job. But times have changed. Women are getting married later
these days and more have chosen to stay single. Others get married but decide
not to have any children. Today more than fifty percent of all married women work
full-time. Many others run businesses in their homes. What has caused these
major changes? One reason is economic necessity. It may be that the husband
has lost his job and the wife must support the family. Or even if the husband is
working, some families say they can’t survive on only one paycheck. But
probably a more important influence has been the “women’s liberation
movement.” Women are being told in many magazines and TV programs: “You
can be successful on your own. Don’t be satisfied with just being a wife and


mother. Use your intelligence and talents to do something bigger. And you should
be paid as much as a man.”
No doubt this movement has accomplished much good. But it has also
contributed to a selfish “me first” attitude that is breaking up many families.
Sometimes women who are happy staying at home feel that working women look
down on them. There are no easy answers to these problems. But certainly
women’s influence will continue to grow in business, education and politics.

C6.
When John Mills was going to fly in an aeroplane for the first time, he was
frightened. He did not like the idea of being thousands of feet up in the air. “ ‘I
also didn’t like the fact that I wouldn’t be in control,” says John. “I’m a terrible
passenger in the car. When somebody else is driving, I tell them what to so. It
drives everybody crazy.”However John couldn’t avoid flying any longer. It was the

only way he could visit his grandchildren in Canada. “I had made up my mind that
I was going to do it, I couldn’t let my son, his wife and their three children travel
all the way here to visit me. It would be so expensive for them and I know Tom’s
business isn’t doing so well at the moment – it would also be tiring for the
children – it’s a nine-hour flight!” he says.To get ready for the flight John did lots
of reading about aeroplanes. When he booked his seat, he was told that he
would be flying on a Boeing 747, which is better known as a jumbo jet. “I needed


to know as much as possible before getting in that plane. I suppose it was a way
of making myself feel better. The Boeing 747 is the largest passenger aircraft in
the world at the moment. The first one flew on February 9th 1969 in the USA. It
can carry up to 524 passengers and 3.400 pieces of luggage. The fuel for
aeroplanes is kept in the wings and the 747’s wings are so big that they can carry
enough fuel for an average car to be able to travel 16,000 kilometres a year for
70 years. Isn’t that unbelievable? Even though I had discovered all this very
interesting information about the jumbo, when I saw it for the first time, just
before I was going to travel to Canada, I still couldn’t believe that something so
enormous was going to get up in the air and fly. I was even more impressed
when I saw how big it was inside with hundreds of people!”The biggest surprise
of all for John was the flight itself. “The take-off itself was much smoother than I
expected although I was still quite scared until we were in the air. In the end, I
managed to relax, enjoy the food and watch one of the movies and the view from
the window was spectacular. I even managed to sleep for a while! Of course,”
continues John, “the best reward of all was when I arrived in Canada and saw my
son and his family, particularly my beautiful grandchildren. Suddenly, I felt so silly
about all the years when I couldn’t even think of getting on a plane. I had let my
fear of living stop me from seeing the people I love most in the world. I can visit
my son and family as often as I like now!”
70. Why did John Mills fly in an aeroplane?

A. He wanted to go on holiday
B. He wanted to try it.
C. He wanted to see his family
D. He had to travel on business.
71. Why did John read about aeroplane?
A. He wanted to know how they work.
B. It was his hobby.
C. It made him feel safer.
D. He had found a book on them.
72. What happened when he saw the jumbo jet for the first time?
A. He felt much safer.
B. He liked the shape of it.
C. He couldn’t believe how big it was.
D. He thought the wings were very small.
73. How did John feel when the aeroplane was taking off?
A. excited
B. happy
C. sad
D. frightened
74. What surprised John most about the flight?
A. that he liked the food.


B. that he was able to sleep
C. that there was a movie being shown
D. that the view was good
75. How did John feel about his fears in the end?
A. He thought he had wasted time being afraid.
B. He realized it was okay to be afraid.
C. He hoped his grandchildren weren’t afraid of flying.

D. He realized that being afraid kept him safe.
C7.
With the onset of the winter season, man’s natural enemies, the common cold
and the flu, arrive with full force. It seems that the fluctuations in temperature and
weather are guarantees that coughs and sneezes will spread infecting germs
among family and friends. More than 100 different types of bacteria can cause a
cold, and doctors sometimes use antibiotics to treat bacterial colds. However,
there are an equal number of viruses that can cause influenza, and modern
science offers no drug capable of curing viral infections. In most cases, the best
advice is the usual prescription: get plenty of rest, drink lot fluids, and be
prepared to suffer for three to ten days. Some home cures help to relieve the
symptoms of colds and flus. Mother’s chicken soup, rich in fats and oils, helps to
revitalize a tired body and to soothe a sore throat. Garlic, containing the active
ingredient allicin, has long been used to fight off the effects of bacteria and
viruses. Hot toddies consisting of small amounts of liquor mixed with honey,
sugar, and lemon juice can relieve soreness and draw out cold germs. Finally,
recent evidence suggests that large doses of vitamin C not only boost the
immune system before a cold arrives, but also relieve cold symptoms after they
have set in.


35
36
37
38
39
40

B
A

D
B
D
C

C8.
Today’s cars are smaller, safer, cleaner, and more economical than their
predecessors, but the car of the future will be far more pollution-free than those
on the road today. Several new types of automobile engines have already been
developed that run on alternative sources of power, such as electricity,
compressed natural gas, methanol, steam, hydrogen, and propane. Electricity,
however, is the only zero-emission option presently available. Although electric
vehicles will not be truly practical until a powerful, compact battery or other
dependable source of current is available, transportation experts foresee a new
assortment of electric vehicles entering everyday life: shorter-range commuter
electric cars, three-wheeled neighborhood cars, electric delivery vans, bikes, and
trolleys. As automakers work to develop practical electric vehicles, urban
planners and utility engineers are focusing on infrastructure systems to support
and make the best use of the new cars. Public charging facilities will need to be
as common as today’s gas stations. Public parking spots on the street or in


commercial lots will need to be equipped with devices that allow drivers to charge
their batteries while they shop, dine, or attend a concert. To encourage the use of
electric vehicles, the most convenient parking in transportation centers might be
reserved for electric cars. Planners foresee electric shuttle buses, trains, buses,
and neighborhood vehicles all meeting at transit centers that would have facilities
for charging and renting. Commuters will be able to rent a variety of electric cars
to suit their needs: light trucks; one-person three-wheelers; small cars; or electric,
gasoline hybrid cars for longer trips, which will no doubt take place on automated

freeways capable of handling five times the number of vehicles that can be
carried by a freeway today.
Question 61: The following electrical vehicles are all mentioned in the passage EXCEPT
_____.
A. vans
B. trains
C. trolleys
D. planes
Question 62: The author’s purpose in the passage is to ________.
A. describe the possibilities for transportation in the future
B. narrate a story about alternative energy vehicles
C. support the invention of electric cars
D. criticize conventional vehicles
Question 63: The passage would most likely be followed by details about _____ .
A. electric shuttle buses
B. pollution restrictions in the future
C. automated freeways
D. the neighborhood of the future
Question 64: The word “compact” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning
to_____ .
A squared (adj) : được tạo thành hình vuông
B long-range (adj) : có tầm xa
C concentrated (adj) : tập trung, cô đặc, rắn chắc
D inexpensive (adj) : rẻ, không đắt
Question 65: In the second paragraph, the author implies that _________
A. a single electric vehicle will eventually replace several modes of transportation.
B. everyday life will stay much the same in the future.
C. electric vehicles are not practical for the future.
D. a dependable source of electric energy will eventually be developed.
Question 66: According to the passage, public parking lots of the future will be _____.

A. as common as today’s gas stations
B. equipped with charging devices
C. much larger than they are today


D. more convenient than they are today
Question 67: The word “charging” in this passage refers to __________.
A credit cards (n) : thẻ tín dụng
B lightning (n) : chớp, tia chớp
C aggression (n) : cuộc xâm lược, cuộc công kích
D electricity (n) : điện, điện lực, điện lực học .
Question 68: The word “foresee” in this passage could best be replaced with_____.
A invent (v) : phát minh, sáng chế
B count on (v) : tin, tin chắc
C rely on (v) : tin cậy vào, tin vào
D imagine (v) : tưởng tượng, hình dung, đoán được
Question 69: The word “commuters” in paragraph 4 refers to _______.
A. visitors
B. cab drivers
C. shoppers
D. daily travelers
Question 70: The word “hybrid” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _____.
A. futuristic
B. combination
C. hazardous
D. automated
C9.
Being able to forecast the weather isn’t just to do with informing people about
whether or not they can go to the beach or have a picnic. When there are going
to be severe weather conditions, the ability to prepare for them can be a matter

of life or death. A hurricane needs certain weather conditions to start forming:
warm tropical oceans with moisture and heat above them. The centre of the
hurricane is very calm and it is called the “eye”, but the most violent activity takes
place in the area immediately around the eye which is called the “eyewall”. When
hurricanes move onto the land from the sea, the heavy rain, strong winds and
huge waves can cause unbelievable damage to buildings and trees, and cars
can be picked up and thrown like matchboxes. The greatest danger, however, is
in the rise in the sea level as it hits the land. This is called the ‘storm surge’ and
can be catastrophic. To measure how powerful an approaching hurricane is,
meteorologists use something called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This
means that a hurricane coming towards the land is given a number from 1 to 5
depending on how fast its winds are. The calmest hurricane is given the number
1 on the scale. As technology has developed and we can now forecast the
weather, it has meant that the advance warnings given have greatly reduced the


number of deaths caused by hurricanes. However, the damage to property, which
cannot be avoided, still costs billions of dollars to repair.
1.What does 'them' in line 3 refer to?
A hurricanes
B weather forecasts
C picnics
D severe weather conditions
2 Where do hurricanes take place?
A in various areas of the world
B in tropical areas
C only in the USA
D in cold countries
3 Which is the least active part of a hurricane?
A die eye wall

B the eye
C the storm surge
D the winds
4 At which point is the hurricane most dangerous?
A when it has an eye
B when it moves out to sea
C when it knocks down trees
D when it moves onto the land
5 What does the Saffir-Simpson Scale measure?
A which way a hurricane is moving
B how big the waves are
C how powerful a hurricane is
D the number of hurricanes expected
6 Being able to forecast hurricanes has
A reduced damage to property.
B saved governments money.
C reduced the number of people killed.
D helped protect trees and bushes.
C10.
To be successful, a business traveler must be able to maintain contact with the
office, no matter what the time or place. Negotiations often involve decisions
based on the latest figures. New telecommunications products and services now
on the market make staying in touch easier than ever before. The most
widespread device is the cellular telephone, the price of which has dropped from


several thousand dollars to a few hundred, including installation. There are over
two million mobile cellular phones in use today, including both car phones and
cordless transportable units. Car phones have proven indispensable for road
emergencies as well as routine business transactions. Phone service is also

available on airplanes and on the rails. Recently introduced pocket-size
organizers help business travelers with heavy schedules keep track of clients.
These are tiny computers that can store all kinds of information. They can serve
as phone and address directories, calendars, electronic memo pads, and
calculators, among other uses. Another invaluable telecommunications tool is
smaller, lighter fax machines that plug into any standard electrical outlet and
phone line. The devices allow instantaneous transmission of hard copy to any
location having a compatible fax machine. It is expected that faxing will soon
become the primary means of sending and receiving short documents requiring
prompt action.
46. What is the best title for the passage?
A. New Telecommunications Products and Services.
B. The Business Travelers.
C. Office Communications.
D. Computers and Businessmen.
47. According to the passage, why do business travelers need to keep in touch
with the office?
A. They may not know where they are.
B. Company guidelines require frequent contact.
C. They must have the latest information for negotiations.
D. So many new products and services are on the market.
48. According to the passage, mobile phone service..........
A. is very useful in the case of road accidents.
B. still costs several thousands of dollars.
C. is not yet available on trains and airplanes.
D. does not come in transportable form.
49. It can be inferred from the passage that fax machines probably..........
A. will eventually replace mail delivery of short documents.
B. are still far from becoming a standard business tool.
C. cannot be used in conjunction with phone service.

D. are now as small and light as they can ever be.
50. What does the paragraph following the passage most probably discuss?
A. Types of hard copy.
B. Compatibility among fax machines.
C. Handling documents in a timely fashion.
D. Another practical telecommunications device
C11.


During the nineteenth century, women in the United States organized and
participated in a large number of reform movements, including movements to
reorganize the prison system, improve education, ban the sale of alcohol, grant
rights to people who were denied them, and, most importantly, free slaves. Some
women saw similarities in the social status of women and slaves. Women like
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone were not only feminists who fought for
the rights of women but also fervent abolitionists who fought to do away with
slavery. These brave people were social leaders who supported the rights of both
women and blacks. They were fighting against a belief that voting should be tied
to land ownership, and because land was owned by men, and in some cases by
their widows, only those who held the greatest stake in government, that is the
male landowners, were considered worthy of the vote. Women did not conform to
the requirements. A number of male abolitionists, including William Lloyd
Garrison and Wendell Phillips, also supported the rights of women to speak and
to participate equally with men in antislavery activities. Probably more than any
other movement, abolitionism offered women a previously denied entry into
politics. They became involved primarily in order to better their living conditions
and improve the conditions of others. However, they gained the respect of those
they convinced and also earned the right to be considered equal citizens. When
the civil war between the North and the South ended in 1865, the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution adopted in 1868 and 1870 granted

citizenship and suffrage to blacks but not to women. Discouraged but resolved,
feminists worked tirelessly to influence more and more women to demand the
right to vote. In 1869, the Wyoming Territory had yielded to demands by
feminists, but the states on the East Coast resisted more stubbornly than before.
A women’s suffrage bill had been presented to every Congress since 1878, but it
continually failed to pass until 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment granted
women the right to vote.
Question 41: With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?
A. The Wyoming Territory.
B. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
C. Abolitionists.
D. Women’s suffrage.
Question 42: The word “ban” in line 3 most nearly means to ...
A. encourage

B. publish

C. prohibit

D. limit

Question 43: The word “supported” in line 5 could best be replaced by...
A. disregarded

B. acknowledged

C. contested

D. promote

Question 44: According to the passage, why did women become active in
politics?
A. To improve the conditions of life that existed at the time.
B. To support Elizabeth Cady Stanton for president.
C. To be elected to public office.
D. To amend the Declaration of Independence.
Question 45: The word “primarily” in line 9 is closest in meaning to ...
A. above all

B. somewhat

C. finally

D. always

Question 46: What had occurred shortly after the Civil War?
A. The Wyoming Territory was admitted to the Union.
B. A women’s suffrage bill was introduced in Congress.
C. The eastern states resisted the end of the war.
D. Black people were granted the right to vote.
Question 47: The word “suffrage” in line 12 could best be replaced by which of
the following?
A. pain

B. citizenship

C. freedom from bondage

D. the right to vote

Question 48: What does the Nineteenth Amendment guarantee?
A. Voting rights for blacks
C. Voting rights for women

B. Citizenship for blacks
D. Citizenship for women.

Question 49: The word “it” in line 16 refers to...
A. bill

B. Congress

C. Nineteenth Amendment

D. vote

Question 50: When were women allowed to vote throughout the United States?
A. after 1866
B. after 1870
C. after 1878
D. after 1920
C12.
The first settlers who came to America were not rich. The ships, food, tools and
weapons necessary for voyage to America and new life there were financed by
companies in England. One person’s voyage to the New World cost about ten


pounds. Settlers also needed help until they harvested crops. The total cost was
probably more than ten thousand dollars, in today’s dollars, for each settler.

Settlers had to find out how to repay this debt. Almost all the settlers became
farmers and raised food and made material for their clothes. They also produced
raw materials which they could send back to England. In the South, in such
colonies as Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, tobacco was found most
profitable. In South Carolina and Georgia, rice was the most popular crop. Slaves
worked in the tobacco and rice fields on large plantations. There were also some
independent farms which raised them. On farms from New York to Pennsylvania,
settlers produced large quantities of grain, beer, beef and pork, and they
exported them to England and the West Indies. They also exported large
quantities of furs, which they received in trade from Indians. Settlers in New
England had a hard time at the beginning. Raising crops in the stony soil was
difficult, so they had to find other means to make a profit. They depended on
lumber and other natural resources. They had to use the sea to make a living.
They did ship-building, fishing and trading.
C13.
Thomas Alva Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light.
Without him, the world might still be a dark place. However, the electric light was
not his only invention. He also invented the phonograph, the motion picture
camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created
something new. Thomas A. Edison was bom in Milan, Ohio, on February 11,
1847. His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, when he was seven years old.
Surprisingly, he attended school for only two months. His mother, a former
teacher, taught him a few things, but Thomas was mostly self-educated. His
natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a young age with electrical and
mechanical things at home. When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He
became a newsboy on a train that ran between Port Huron and Detroit. He set up
a laboratory in a baggage car of the train so that he could continue his
experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, his first work experience did not end
well. Thomas was fired when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage
car. Thomas then worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued

to spend much of his time on the job conducting experiments. He got his first
patent in 1868 for a vote recorder run by electricity. However, the vote recorder
was not a success. In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for
$40,000. Thomas Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the
ether, but thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept
conversations short, so that he could have more time for work. He left numerous
inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.
1. Thomas Edison did things in this order
.
A. he became a telegraph operator,a newsboy,and then got his first patent
B. he became a newsboy, got his first patent, and then became a telegraph


operator
C. he got a patent,became a telegraph operator,and then became a newsboy
D. he became a newsboy,a telegraph operator,and then got a patent
2. Of all the inventions,

was probably the most important for civilization.

A. the vote recorder
B. the stock ticker
C. the light bulb
D. the motion picture camera
3. The main idea of this passage is that ___

.

A. Edison was always interested in science and inventions ,and he inventea
many important things

B. Thomas Edison could not keep a job
C. Thomas Edison worked day and night on his experiments
D. deaf people make good inventors without the distraction of spoken
conversation
C14.
Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “once in a blue moon?” People
use this expression to describe something that they do not do very often. For
example, someone might say that he tries to avoid eating sweets because they
are unhealthy, but will eat chocolate “once in a blue moon.” Or someone who
does not usually like to go to the beach might say “I visit the shore once in a blue
moon.” While many people use this phrase, not everyone knows the meaning
behind it. The first thing to know is that the moon itself is never actually blue. This
is just an expression. The phrase “blue moon” actually has to do with the shape
of the moon, not the color. As the moon travels around the earth, it appears to
change shape. We associate certain names with certain shapes of the moon. For
example, when we can see a small part of the moon, it is called a crescent moon.
A crescent is a shape that looks like the tip of a fingernail. When we cannot see
the moon at all, it is called a new moon. When we can see the entire moon, it is
called a full moon. Usually, there is only one full moon every month. Sometimes,
however, there will be two full moons in one month. When this happens, the
second full moon is called a “blue moon.” Over the next 20 years, there will only
be 15 blue moons. As you can see, a blue moon is a very rare event. This fact
has led people to use the expression “once in a blue moon” to describe other
very rare events in their lives.
Questions


1) Which of the following would be a good example of someone doing something “once
in a blue moon”?
A. Mary likes to go to the mountains every weekend. Mary goes to the mountains once

in a blue moon.
B. Tom rarely remembers to take out the trash. Tom takes out the trash once in a blue
moon.
C. Cindy hates to wash the dishes. Nevertheless, she does it every day. Cindy washes the
dishes once in a blue moon.
D. Ming sometimes forgets to do his homework. Ming forgets to do his homework once
in a blue moon.
2) When does a blue moon happen in nature?
A. when there are two full moons in one month
B. when the moon has a blue color
C. when we cannot see the moon at all
D. when we can only see a small part of the moon
3) Using the passage as a guide, it can be understood that which of the following
sentences does not contain an expression?
A. Thomas has lost his mind.
B. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
C. I'll mow the grass after I finish my homework.
D. It's never a bad time to start something new.
4) As described in paragraph 3, what is another example of something that has a
crescent shape?
A. your thumb
B. a distant star
C. the letter “C”
D. the letter "H"
5) In the final paragraph, the author states: “Over the next 20 years, there will only be
15 blue moons.” This means that over the next 20 years, a blue moon will happen
A. once a year
B. less than once a year

C. more than once a year
D. not enough information is provided
6) As used in the final paragraph, which is the best antonym for rare?
A. common
B. strange
C. colorful
D. infrequent
7) In the final paragraph the author writes, "As you can see, a blue moon is a very rare
event." The purpose of this statement is to
A. answer an earlier question
B. provide an example
C. support an upcoming conclusion
D. challenge a previous statement
C15.
Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making
the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a
more basic version at home. When you make pizza, you must begin with the
crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you
will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the
dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a
prepared crust that you buy from the store. After you have chosen your crust, you
must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long
time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If
this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the
store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.
Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese.
Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your
backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow? Do you know how to turn that milk
into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead
of making it yourself. When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you

can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other
people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best
part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own
favorite ingredients.
Questions


1) The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to
A. describe the history of pizza
B. teach a healthier way to make pizza
C. outline steps to make a basic pizza at home
D. provide tips about how to make your pizza especially delicious
2) As used in paragraph 1, which word means the opposite of complicated?
A. difficult
B. simple
C. easy
D. manageable
3) As used in paragraph 3, which is the best synonym for purchase?
A. forget
B. buy
C. ask
D. cook
4) In paragraph 3, the author writes, "Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the
kind you make at home." The purpose of this statement is to
A. clarify a later statement
B. provide an example
C. clarify an earlier statement
D. support the previous paragraph
5) In paragraph 4, the author asks a series of questions in order to
A. support the idea that most people cannot make homemade cheese

B. reinforce the idea that most people probably live on farms
C. prove that store-bought cheese tastes better than homemade cheese
D. emphasize the superiority of homemade cheese over store bought cheese
6) As used in paragraph 5, which is the best definition for customize?
A. to make personal
B. to prepare for more than one


C. to eat while hot
D. to desire
7) According to the author, which of the following ingredients do you need to have
ready before you can add the toppings?
I. crust
II. sauce
III. cheese
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
8) Which of the following words best describes how the author feels about making a
pizza from scratch?
A. helpful
B. understanding
C. enthusiastic
D. negative
9) Which of the following conclusions would work best at the end of this passage.
A. Although the crust, sauce, and toppings are all important ingredients in pizza, it is
clear that the cheese is most important. Therefore, be sure your cheese is homemade.
B. It can be understood that making your pizza from scratch should be avoided at all
costs. Use store bought ingredients and save yourself a heap of trouble.

C. As you can see, cooking a pizza can be fun, but it can also be very expensive. But, as
you can see, the best things are worth paying for.
D. Once you have prepared the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings, you are ready to
bake your pizza. I think you will see that making pizza at home can be a good
alternative to purchasing it from the store.
C16.
When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered
with sand. Although this is a good description for many deserts, Earth’s largest
desert is actually a very cold place covered with ice: Antarctica. In order for an
area to be considered a desert, it must receive very little rainfall. More


specifically, it must receive an average of less than ten inches of precipitation—
which can be rain, sleet, hail, or snow—on the ground every year. Antarctica, the
coldest place on earth, has an average temperature that usually falls below the
freezing point. And because cold air holds less moisture than warm air, the air in
Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all. This is evident in the low
precipitation statistics recorded for Antarctica. For example, the central part of
Antarctica receives an average of less than 2 inches of snow every year. The
coastline of Antarctica receives a little bit more—between seven and eight inches
a year. Because Antarctica gets so little precipitation every year, it is considered
a desert.When precipitation falls in hot deserts, it quickly evaporates back into
the atmosphere. The air over Antarctica is too cold to hold water vapor, so there
is very little evaporation. Due to this low rate of evaporation, most of the snow
that falls to the ground remains there permanently, eventually building up into
thick ice sheets. Any snow that does not freeze into ice sheets becomes caught
up in the strong winds that constantly blow over Antarctica. These snow-filled
winds can make it look as if it is snowing. Even though snowfall is very rare
there, blizzards are actually very common on Antarctica.
Questions

1) The main purpose of paragraph 1 is to
A. accept a conclusion
B. introduce an argument
C. provide a brief history
D. deny a common belief
2) The best title for this passage would be
A. Earth’s Many Deserts
B. Antarctica: The Coldest Place on Earth
C. A Desert of Ice
D. Unusual Blizzards
3) Africa’s Sahara Desert is the second-largest desert on earth. Based on the information
in the passage, what characteristic must the Sahara share with Antarctica?
A. low temperatures
B. high temperatures
C. frequent blizzards
D. low precipitation


4) As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for precipitation?
A. moisture in the air that falls to the ground
B. any type of weather event
C. weather events that only happen in very cold areas
D. a blizzard that occurs in areas with limited snowfall
5) In paragraph 2 the author writes, "And because cold air holds less moisture than
warm air, the air in Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all." Using this
information, it can be understood that
A. air in Africa holds more moisture than the air in Antarctica
B. air surrounding a tropical island holds less moisture than the air in Antarctica
C. air in the second floor of a house is typically warmer than air on the first floor
D. air at the mountains is typically colder than the air at the beach

6) According to the final paragraph, any snow that falls over Antarctica
I. becomes part of the Antarctic ice sheet
II. is blown around by strong winds
III. evaporates back into the atmosphere
A. l only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
7) Based on the information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that blizzards in
Antarctica are mainly the result of
A. freezing cold temperatures
B. large amounts of snowfall
C. low amounts of precipitation
D. strong winds
C17.
A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled
now than 20 years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple
precautions to protect their homes. The first fact is that burglars and other
intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very obviously empty.