Section 3

Reading Comprehension
Time: 55 minutes
DIRECTIONS: In this section you will read several passages. Each passage is followed by a series of questions.
For questions 1-50, you need to select the best answer, (A), (B), (C), or (D), to each question. Then, on your answer
sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that contains the letter of the answer you have selected.
Fill in the space completely.
Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

Read the following passage:

A tomahawk is a small ax used as a tool and a weapon by the North American Indian tribes. An average tomahawk
was not very long and did not weigh a great deal. Originally, the head of the tomahawk was made of a shaped stone
or an animal bone and was mounted on a wooden handle. After the arrival of the European settlers, the Indians
began to use tomahawks with iron heads. Indian males and females of all ages used tomahawks to chop and cut
wood, pound stakes into the ground to put up wigwams, and do many other chores. Indian warriors relied on
tomahawks as weapons and even threw them at their enemies. Some types of tomahawks were used in religious
ceremonies. Contemporary American idioms reflect this aspect of American heritage.

EXAMPLE I
Early tomahawk heads were made of
(A) stone or bone
(B) wood or sticks
(C) European iron
(D) religious weapons
According to the passage, early tomahawk heads were made of stone or bone. Therefore, the correct answer is (A).

EXAMPLE II
How has the Indian use of tomahawks affected American daily life today?
(A) Tomahawks are still used as weapons.
(B) Tomahawks are used as tools for certain jobs.
(C) Contemporary language refers to tomahawks.
(D) Indian tribes cherish tomahawks as heirlooms.
The passage states, “Contemporary American idioms reflect this aspects of American heritage.” The correct answer
is (C).

RED = HARD
YELLOW = MEDIUM
GREEN = EASY
Basketball

Although he created the game of basketball at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. James A.
Naismith was a canadian. Working as a physical education instructor at the International YMCA, now Springfield
College, Dr. Naismith noticed a lack of interest in exercise among students during the wintertime. The New England
winters were fierce, and the students balked at participating in outdoor activities. Naismith determined that a fast-
moving game that could be played indoors would fill a void after the baseball and football seasons had ended.
First he attempted to adapt outdoor games such as soccer and rugby to indoor play, but he soon found them
unsuitable for confined areas. Finallly, he determined that he would have to invent a game.
 In December of 1891, Dr. Naismith hung two old peach baskets at either end of the gymnasium at the
school, and, using a soccer ball and nine players on each side, organized the first basketball game. The early rules
allowed three points for each basket and made running with the ball a violation. Every time a goal was made,
someone had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball.
Nevertheless, the game became popular. In less than a year, basketball was being played in both the United
States and Canada. Five years later, a championship tournament was staged in New York City, which was won by
the brooklyn Central YMCA.
The teams had already been reduced to seven players, and five became standard in the 1897 season. When
basketball was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, it quickly
spread throughout the world. In 1906, a metal hoop was used for the first time to replace the basket, but the name
basketball has remained.

• What does this passage mainly discuss?

• The Olympic Games in St. Louis in 1904
• The development of basketball
• The YMCA athletic program
• Dr. James Naismith
• When was the first demonstration game of basketball held during the Olympics?
• 1891
• 1892
• 1897
• 1904
• The phrase “balked at” in line 4 could best be replaced by
• resisted
• enjoyed
• excelled at
• were exhausted by
• The word “fierce” in line 4 is closest in meaning to
• long
• boring
• extreme
• dark
• The word “them” in line 8 refers to
• indoors
• seasons
• games
• areas
• Where in the passage does the author discuss the first basketball championship tournament?
• Lines 8-10
• Lines 11-13
• Lines 17-18
• Lines 20-22

• What does the author mean by the statement in lines 17-18: “When basketball was introduced as a
demonstration sport in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, it quickly spread throughout the world”?
• Basketball was not considered an Olympic sport at the St. Louis games.
• Basketball became popular worldwide after its introduction at the Olympic Games in St. Louis.
• Basketball players from many countries competed in the Olympic Games in St. Louis.
• Basketball was one of the most popular sports at the Olympic Games in St. Louis.
 • Why did Naismith decide to invent basketball?
• He did not like soccer or rugby.
• He was tired of baseball and football.
• He wanted his students to exerciseduring winter.
• He could not convince his students to play indoors.
• The author mentios all of the following as typical of the early game of basketball EXCEPT
• three points were scored for every basket
• running with the ball was not a foul
• nine players were on a team
• the ball had to be retrieved from the basket after each score
• It can be inferred from the passage that the original baskets
• were not placed very high
• had a metal rim
• did not have a hole in the bottom
• were hung on the same side

Precipitation, commonly referred to as rainfall, is a measure of the quantity of the water in the form of
either rain, hail, or snow which reaches the ground. The average annual precipitation over the whole of the United
States is thirty-six inches. It should be understood however, that a foot of snow is not equal to a foot of precipitation.
A general formula for computing the precipitation of snowfall is that ten inches of snow is equal to one inch of
precipitation. In New York State, for example, twenty inches of snow in one year would be recorded as only two
inches of precipitation. Forty inches of rain would be recorded as forty inches of precipitation. The total annual
precipitation would be recorded as forty-two inches.
The amount of precipitation is a combined result of several factors, including location, altitude, proximity
to the sea, and the direction of prevailing winds. Most of the precipitation in the United States is brought originally
by prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Great Lakes. Because
these prevailing winds generally come from the West, the Pacific Coast receives more annual precipitation than the
Atlantic Coast. Along the Pacific Coasts itself, however, altitude causes some diversity in rainfall. The mountain
ranges of the United States, especially the Rocky Mountain Range and the Appalachian Mountain Range, influence
the amount of precipitation in their areas. East of the Rocky Mountains, the annual precipitation decreases
substantially from that west of the Rocky Mountains. The precipitation north of the Appalachian Mountains is
about 40 percent less than that south of the Appalachian Mountains.

•
• What does this passage mainly discuss?
 • Precipitation
• Snowfall
• New York State
• A general formula
• Which of the following is another word that is often used in place of precipitation?
• Humidity
• Wetness
• Rainfall
• Rain-snow
• The term precipitation includes
• only rainfall
• rain, hail, and snow
• rain, snow, and humidity
• rain, hail, and humidity
• What is the average annual rainfall in inches in the United States?
• Thirty-six inches
• Thirty-eight inches
• Forty inches
• Forty-two inches
• If a state has 40 inches of snow in a year, by how much does this increase the annual precipitation?
• By two feet
• By four inches
• By four feet
• By 40 inches
• The phrase “proximity to” in line 9 is closest in meaning to
• communication with
• dependence on
• nearness to
• similarity to
• Where is the annual precipitation highest?
• The Atlantic Coast
• The Great Lakes
• The Gulf of Mexico
• The Pacific Coast
• Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a factor in determining the amount of precipitation that an
area will receive?
• Mountains
• Latitude
• The sea
• Wind
• The word “substantially” in line 15 could best be replaced by
• fundamentally
• slightly
• completely
• apparently
• The word “that” in line 16 refers to
• decreases
• precipitation
• areas
• mountain ranges
 Fertilizer is any substance that can be added to the soil to provide chemical elements essential for plant
nutrition. Natural substances such as animal droppings and straw have been used as fertilizers for thousands of
years, and lime has been used since the Romans introduced it during the Empire. It was not until the nineteenth
century, in fact, that chemical fertilizers became popular. Today, both natural and synthetic fertilizers are available
in a variety of forms.
A complete fertilizer is usually marked with a formula consisting of three numbers, such as 4-8-2 or 3-6-4,
which designate the percentage content of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in the order stated.
Synthetic fertilizers are available in either solid or liquid form. Solids, in the shape of chemical granules are
popular because they are easy to store and apply. Recently, liquids have shown an increase in popularity, accounting
for about 20 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer used throughout the world. Formerly, powders were also used, but
these were found to be less convenient than either solids or liquids.
Fertilizers have no harmful effects on the soil, the crop, or the consumer as long as they are used according
to recommendations based on the results of local research. Occasionally, however, farmers may use more fertilizer
then necessary, damaging not only the crop but also the animals or humans that eat it. Accumulations of fertilizer in
the water supply accelerate the growth of algae and, consequently, may disturb the natural cycle of life, contributing
to the death of fish. Too much fertilizer on grass can cause digestive disorders in cattle and in infants who drink
cow’s milk.
•
• With which of the following topics is the passage primarily concerned?
(A) Local research and harmful effects of fertilizer
(B) Advantages and disadvantages of liquid fertilizer
(C) A formula for the production of fertilizer
(D) Content, form, and effects of fertilizer
• The word “essential” in line 1 could best be replaced by which of the following?
(A) limited
(B) preferred
(C) anticipated
(D) required
• In the formula 3-6-4
(A) the content of nitrogen is greater than that of potash
(B) the content of potash is greater than that of phosphoric acid
(C) the content of phosphoric acid is less than that of nitrogen
(D) the content of nitrogen is less than that of phosphoric acid
• Which of the following has the smallest percentage content in the formula 4-8-2?
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Phosphorus
(C) Acid
(D) Potash
• What is the percentage of nitrogen in a 5-8-7 formula fertilizer?
(A) 3 percent
(B) 5 percent
(C) 7 percent
(D) 8 percent
• The word “designate” in line 7 could be replaced by
(A) modify
(B) specify
(C) limit
 (D) increase
• Which of the following statements about fertilizer is true?
(A) Powders are more popular than ever.
(B) Solids are difficult to store.
(C) Liquids are increasing in popularity
(D) Chemical granules are difficult to apply.
• The word “these” in line 11 refers to
(A) powders
(B) solids
(C) liquids
(D) fertilizer
• The word “convenient” in line 11 is closest in meaning to
(A) effetive
(B) plentiful
(C) easy to use
(D) cheap to pruduce
• What happens when too much fertilizer is used?
(A) Local research teams provide recommendations.
(B) Algae in the water supplies begin to die.
(C) Animals and humans may become ill.
(D) Crops have no harmful effects

.
The symptoms of hay fever include watery and itchy eyes and a runny, congested nose. People suffering
from hay fever may experience occasional wheezing and repeated bouts of sneezing and may even lose their sense
of smell. Some victims of hay fever may develop the symptoms associated with periodic asthma or a sinus
infection. The allergen-antibody theory does not fully explain allergic reactions because the membranes and glands
in eyes and ears are controlled by the independent nervous system, which keeps these organs in balance. But in the
independent nervous system itself is part of the emotional-response center and may cause the feelings of anger, fear,
resentment, and lack of self-confidence in reaction to allergy-causing substances.
The most common cause of hay fever is the pollen of ragweed, which blossoms during the summer and
autumn. When airborne pollen particles, as well as mold, come into contact with the victim’s membranes, they can
cause allergic reactions that release histamine and result in a virtual blockage of air passages. To prevent hay fever
or to decrease the severity of its symptoms, contact with the ragweed pollen should be reduced. Although some
communities have attempted to eliminate the plants that cause the reactions, elimination programs have not been
successful because airborne pollen can travel considerable distances. Antihistamine can help with short but severe
attacks. Over extended periods of time, however, patients are prescribed a series of injections of the substance to
which they are sensitive in order to increase immunity and thus be relieved of the seasonal allergy.
•
• It can be inferred from the passage that the phrase “hay fever” refers to
• fodder for cattle

• a seasonal discomfort

• viral bacteria

• a lung disease

• According to the passage, the symptoms of the allergy are predominantly

• abdominal

• intestinal
 • respiratory

• chronic

• What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

• Hay fever may cause severe allergic reactions and even death.

• The cause of allergic reactions has not been determined.

• The nervous system balances allergic reactions.

• People should not have an emotional response to allergic reactions.

• According to this passage, patients suffering from hay fever may also experience
• hunger pains

• mood swings

• nervous blockages

• sensory perceptions

• It can be inferred from the passage that a frequent source of allergy-causing irritants can be
• organic matter

• larynx infections

• human contact

• ear membranes

• According to the passage, to avoid incidents of hay fever, patients need to

• avoid interactions with other patients

• avoid exposure to pollen

• increase their self-confidence

• take doses of prescribed medicine

• Which of the following is not mentioned in the passage as a cause of allergies?

• pollen

• mold

• flowers

• injections

• It can be inferred from the passage that hay fever

• has no effective antibodies

• has no known cure

• is rooted in the human psyche

 • can be likened to a breakdown

• A paragraph following this passage would most probably discuss

• how the nervous system alerts patients

• how the immune system reacts to allergens

• what other diseases can be relieved by vaccines

• what flowers are harmless to hay fever patients

• The word “they” in line 10 refers to

• membranes

• airborne pollen particles

• blossoms

• substances

• According to the passage, what is best to do to reduce hay fever?

• clean our hands with the right ways

• drink much water every day

• contact with ragweed pollen should be reduced

• take some antibiotics regularly

The body of the honeybee, like the bodies of all insects, is divided into three sections: the head, the thorax,
and the abdomen. The bee’s entire body is covered with fine hairs to which grains of pollen adhere as the bee
moves from flower to flower, harvesting nectar and pollinating plants. The hairs on the antennae provide a means
for tactile sensing without the ability to grasp extending objects. In pigmentation, bees range from black to shades
of very pale brown, thus reflecting their wisplike ancestry. The queens are larger by far than both workers and
drones being bigger than workers.
A honey bee has five eyes–three secondary ones that form a triangle on top of its head and a large
compound eye on either side of its head. The compound eyes center around thousands of lenses clustered closely to
one another. Bees cannot focus their eyes, as many mammals do, because their eyes have no pupils. Bees were the
first insect known to distinguish color, and ability due to the color sensitivity of their optic nerve particles. Their
vision is especially receptive to hues of blue and yellow and to ultraviolet rays, unseen by humans. However, bees
see red in the same way they see green but can distinguish geometrical patterns in the shapes of foliage and
blossoms
•
• It can be inferred from the passage that the body of the bee
• has a pronounced abdomen
 • has fine layers

• is colored for protection

• is typically compound

• According to the passage, what do bees collect?

• flowers

• grains

• nectar and pollen

• extending objects

• According to the passage, what purpose do the fine hairs on the body of the bee serve?
• They identify the bees’ ancestry.

• They furnish a sense of touch.

• They carry pollen to female blossoms.

• They camouflage the insect.

• How many classes of bees are mentioned in the passage?

• Two

• Three

• Four

• Five

• In line 10, the word “clustered” is closest in meaning to

• lined up

• turned up

• bunched

• bundled

• In line 11, the word “hues” is closest in meaning to

• shades

• layers

• specks

• circles

• It can be inferred from the passage that bees LEAST likely to distinguish
• ultraviolet light

• red flowers from foliage

 • shapes in their proximity

• patterns of leaf veins

• In line 2, the word “abdomen” can be best replaced with

(A) wings

(B) throat

(C) belly

(D) legs

• Which of the followings is NOT true about honey bee?

(A) Honey bee has three body divisions

(B) The queens are larger than workers

(C) Honey bee has four eyes

(D) Honey bee eyes do not have pupil