Reading comprehension test

Reading Comprehension Test
Test 1

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A.

6.

An important fuel
Read the following passage and then choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. (10 pts)
One of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century was a method of using natural gas for
cooking and heating. Large amounts of natural gas are found in the United States, usually several feet below the
surface of the earth. Natural gas is most often found in places where petroleum, the oil from which gasoline is
made, is found. Often the natural gas must be removed before the oil itself can be reached.
For many years after natural gas was first discovered, it was thought to have no value. Finally, however,
people began to understand its use and to find ways of storing it and moving it from place to place. Today natural
gas is stored in large tanks and used for lighting, cooking and heating. It has also been used for electric generators
and hybrid cars recently. In many ways natural gas is one of our finest fuels. It can be used for cooking without
making the room hot. It is cheap and can be moved easily from one place to another through long pipelines, some
of which are hundreds of miles in length.
When was the use of gas for cooking and heating first discovered?

……………………………………………………………………..
How is natural gas stored?
……………………………………………………………………..
Is natural gas one of the finest fuels?
……………………………………………………………………..
What is the good thing about natural gas when it is used for cooking?
…………………………………………………………………….
How can natural gas be carried from one place to another?
……………………………………………………………………..
6. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. natural gas is useless
B. people once wasted natural gas
C. natural gas is moved in trucks
D. natural gas is found where there is no petroleum
7. This passage as a whole is about ________.
A. discovering natural gas B. finding petroleum C. using natural gas and petroleum D. natural gas and its use
8. Which of the following is NOT true about natural gas?
A. It is not used for heating. B. It moves through pipes. C. It is cheap. D. It can be stored.
9. How many uses of natural gas are mentioned? A. two B. three
C. four
D. five
Reading 2:
Although they are safe to use in the short term, coal, gas and oil present a long-term threat to the environment. All
three types of fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide in far greater quantities than plants can use. The carbon dioxide
then accumulates in the atmosphere and may even increase the earth's 'heat load' and lead to global ries in
temperature. Furthermore, all three fossil 'fuels are nonrenewable forms of energy.
Geothermal power is unlikely ever to be an energy source of major importance. It is limited and is exploitable in
only a few places. Hydro-power offers a much more useful source of energy. It is also renewable but its
availability is limited. Dams cannot be built in certain areas. Wind power is a pollution-free source of renewable
energy but it cannot be used in many parts of the world where there is insufficient wind. Wave power is nonpolluting and does not add to the earth's heat but it is ineffective where the sea is usually calm.

Solar power is renewable, it does not cause pollution and it does not add to the earth's heat load. Unfortunately,
solar power is not distributed equally, and it also requires expensive equipment. Finally, nuclear power provides a
very efficient and renewable power source. However, not only is there a great danger of leaks or accidents but
there is also the problem of the disposal of radioactive waste.
What are 3 kinds of fossil fuels producing carbon dioxide in great quantities?
……………………………………………………………………..
Why is geothermal heat less popular than other renewable energies?
……………………………………………………………………..
Is it worrying to use nuclear power?
……………………………………………………………………..
What are the advantages of solar energy?
……………………………………………………………………..
The following renewable energies are not polluted Except
Wind power b. Wave power
C. solar power
D. nuclear power
What is not true about the passage?


A.
B.
C.
D.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1.

2.

3.

Like any other renewable energy, solar power has some disadvantages.
Fossil fuels are unlimited and safe to use in the distant future.
The use of solar power and wind power depends on the weather.
Where dams cannot be built, hydro power is impossible.
Reading 3:
The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes all over Asia.
The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under the supervision of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), medals are awarded in each event, with gold for first place, silver for second and
bronze for third, a tradition which started in 1951. The Asian Games are dominated by the People’s Republic of
China.
Competitors are entered by a National Olympic Committee(NOC) to represent their country of citizenship.
National anthems and flags accompany the medal ceremonies, and table showing the number of medals won by
each country are wildly used. In general only recognized nations are represented, but a few non-sovereign
countries are allowed to take part. The special case of Taiwan was handled by having it compete as Chinese Taipei
due to the political status of Taiwan.
The 15th Asian Games were held in Doha, Qatar from December 1st to December 15th 2006. The 16th Asian
Games will be held in Guangzhou, China from November 12th to November 27th, 2010.
What does Asiad stand for?..........................................................
How often are the Games held?...................................................
What does the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) receive from the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) ?..........................................................
How are the medals in the Games awarded to athletes?.......................................
What is the tradition in the medal ceremonies?....................................................

Which country hosted the 16th Asian Games?.....................................................
Reading 4: Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct answers.
At present, people depend on unlimited energy to power their everyday lives. A wide range of energy-run devices
and modern conveniences are taken for granted, and although it may seem that we will never be in danger of living
without those conveniences, the fact is that many supplies of energy are dwindling rapidly. Scientists are
constantly searching for new sources of power to keep modern society running. Whether future populations will
continue to enjoy the benefit of abundant energy will depend on the success of this search.
Coal, oil, and natural gas supply modern civilization with most of its power. However, not only are supplies of
these fuels limited, but they are a major source of pollution. If the energy demands of the future are to be met
without seriously harming the environment, existing alternative energy sources must be improved or further
explored and developed. These include nuclear, water, solar, wind, and geothermal power, as well as energy from
new, nonpolluting types of fuels. Each of these alternatives, however, has advantages and disadvantages.
Nuclear power plants efficiently produce large amounts of electricity without polluting the atmosphere;
however, they are costly to build and maintain, and they pose the daunting problem of what to do with nuclear
wastes. Hydroelectric power is inexpensive and environmentally safe, but impractical for communities located far
from moving water. Harnessing energy from tides and waves has similar drawbacks. Solar power holds great
promise for the future but methods of collecting and –concentrating sunlight are as yet inefficient, as are methods
of harnessing wind power.
Every source of energy has its disadvantages. One way to minimize them is to use less energy. Conservation
efforts coupled with renewable energy resources, such as a combination of solar, water, wind, and geothermal
energy and alternative fuels, such as alcohol and hydrogen, will ensure supplies of clean, affordable energy for
humanity's future.
The passage suggests that .......
a. people use energy without giving great thought to where it's coming from.
b. the search for energy sources is mainly a problem for the future
c. scientists believe we will never have to go without our modern conveniences
d. modern society requires a minimum amount of energy to keep running
It can be implied from the passage that .......
a. most alternative energy sources have proven to be impractical
b. many alternative energy' sources. are environmentally hazardous

c. nuclear power solves one problem while creating others
d. solar and wind power are not promising for the future
From the passage, it can be inferred that to solve our energy problems .......
a. we will have to stop using many of our modern conveniences


b. scientists will have to find one major source of nonpolluting energy
c. scientists will have to find ways to increase our supplies of coal, oil and gas
d. a combination of conservation and invention will be needed
4.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
a. The search for alternative energy sources is not over.
b. Our present energy sources must be eliminated and replaced with alternatives sources.
c. Alternative sources of energy on this planet are very limited.
d. Demand; for energy in the future are likely to decrease.
5.
Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
a. The amount of fossil fuels in the world is limited. b. Most alternative energy sources are environmentally
friendly.
c. Hydroelectric power is impractical because of its being money consuming.
d. It is impossible to use wind power efficiently at present.
Reading 5
The search for the alternative sources of energy has led in various directions. Many communities are
burning garbage and other biological waste products to produce electricity. Converting waste products to gases or
oil is also an effective way to dispose of wastes. Experimental work is being done to derive synthetic fuels from
coal, oil shale, and coal tars. But to date, that process has proven expensive. Other experiments are underway to
harness power with giant windmills. Geothermal power is also being tested. Some experts expect utility
companies to revive hydroelectric power derived from streams and rivers. Fifty years ago, hydroelectric power
provided one third of the electricity used in the United States, but today it supplies only 4 percent. The oceans are
another potential source of energy. Scientists are studying ways to convert the energy of ocean currents, tides,

waves to electricity. Experiments are also underway to make use of temperature differences in ocean water to
produce energy.
1. What is the best title of the passage?
a. The Use of Water Products for Energy c. The Search for Alternative Sources
b.
Efficient Ways of Disposing of Waste d. New Discoveries in Geothermal Power
2. What provided one third of the electricity in the United States fifty years ago?
a. wind
b. waste products
c. water
d. oil
3. What could best replace the phrase ‘geothermal power’ in the passage?
a. heat from the earth
b. gases in the earth’s atmosphere
c. water in the ocean or river
d. steam that shot up out of the earth
4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an alternative source of energy?
a. burning of garbage b. geothermal power
c. synthetic fuels
d. electricity
5. What is the disadvantage of using coal, oil, shale and coal tars as sources of energy?
a. They take a lot of time.
b. They are nonrenewable resources.
c. They are expensive.
d. They are scarce sources.