Passage 1

Many great inventions are initially greeted with ridicule and disbelief. The invention of the airplane was no exception. Although many people who heard about the first powered flight on December 17, 1903 were excited and impressed, others reacted with laughter. The idea of flying an aircraft was repulsive to some people. Such people called Wilbur and Orville Wright, the inventors of the first flying machine, impulsive fools. Negative reactions, however, did not stop the Wrights. Impelled by their desire to succeed, they continued their experiments in aviation.

Orville and Wilbur Wright had always had a compelling interest in aeronautics and mechanics. As young boys they earned money by making and selling kites and mechanical toys. Later, they operated a bicycle-repair shop. In 1896, when they read about the death of Otto Lilienthal, the brothers’ interest in flight grew into a compulsion.

Lilienthal, a pioneer in hang-gliding, had controlled his gliders by shifting his body in the desired direction. This idea was repellent to the Wright brothers, however, and they searched for more efficient methods to control the balance of airborne vehicles. In 1900 and 1901, the Wrights tested numerous gliders and developed control techniques. The brothers’ inability to obtain enough lift power for the gliders almost led them to abandon their efforts.

After further study, the Wright brothers concluded that the published tables of air pressure on curved surfaces must be wrong. Because of their efforts, the old tables were replaced by the first reliable figures.

They even designed and built a lightweight gasoline engine. When they started the engine on December 17, the airplane jumped up and down wildly before taking off. The plane managed to stay aloft for 12 seconds. However, by 1905 the Wrights had perfected the first airplane that could turn, circle and remain airborne for half an hour.

1. In paragraph 1, line 4, such people refers to those people who ……….….. the invention of the airplane.

2. In paragraph 1, line 7, “impelled” is closest in meaning to …..…………. .

3. In paragraph 5, line 3, “aloft” is closest in meaning to …….…….. .

4. In paragraph 5, line 3, “However” can be replaced by ………….. .

5. Some people thought that the Wrights had …….…….. .

6. It is pointed out in the passage that the Wrights’ interest in flight grew into ……………………….….. .

7. Some people ……….. the idea of flying an aircraft.

8. We understand from passage that Lilienthal’s idea about controlling airborne vehicles ……….….. the Wrights.

9. Because of the Wright’s research, the old tables and figures for air pressure on curved surfaces were ……..…….. .

10. It is clear from the passage that the invention of airplane was first faced with ……….…….. by some people.

Passage 2

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions.

The volcano had been dormant for centuries. There was little warning of the

coming eruption, although archaeologists asserted that a hard rain and a strong

wind had come during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city with coagulated lava.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, large portions of the city Pompeii were destroyed in the fire. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people.

Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist cuts apart an animal for research, scientists have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area’s geography. For instance, it turned rivers from their courses. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that affected the world’s climate.

In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. Scientists have been able to draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze. Today, volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the

destruction of other cities and cultures.

1. One can infer from the passage that tidal waves ………….……. .

2. In paragraph 2, line 1, “dormant” is closest in meaning to ………… .

3. In paragraph 2, line 3, “preceding” is the opposite of ………… .

4. In paragraph 5, line 2, “distilled” is closest in meaning to …….………. .

5. According to the passage, Pompeii ……………… .

6. It was pointed out in the passage that Herculaneum was buried under …………………

7. Based on the passage, which sentence is NOT correct?

8. It is clear from the passage that the poisonous gases ………………. .

9. Scientists who studied atmospheric conditions have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused ……….………. .

10. The author of the passage made a comparison between a zoologist and …………………. .