Atmosphere of Venus Data from the Pioneer spacecraft of NASA apparently prove the theory that the high

surface temperature of Venus is due to an atmospheric greenhouse effect caused mainly by a blanket of carbon dioxide. Such a greenhouse effect is created when energy in the form of sunlight easily passes through a planet's atmosphere, warms its surface, and is converted to heat radiation that is then held in by the atmosphere from top to bottom. Venus has a relatively thin atmosphere like the Earth's, but Venus' atmosphere consists of more than ninety percent carbon dioxide, compared to less than four percent in that of the Earth. Because of its higher percentage of carbon dioxide, Venus' atmosphere traps much more heat radiation than does the Earth's. Thus, the Venus studies are believed to be important to the understanding of possible adverse effects on the Earth's agriculture that could result from the long-term use of fossil fuels, which add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

1. According to the passage, data from the Venus study can be used to ----. A) measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere accurately B) increase the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere C) test the efficiency of the spacecraft sent to Venus by NASA D) predict future agricultural problems on Earth E) determine the topography and the surface characteristics of the Earth 2. We understand from the passage that the atmosphere of Venus ----. A) is thinner than the atmosphere of the Earth B) contains much more carbon dioxide than that of the Earth C) traps less heat radiation compared to the atmosphere of the Earth D) blocks out dangerous rays from the sun

E) is far colder than the atmospheres of other planets in our solar system 3. One can infer from the passage that ----. A) there is no difference between the atmospheres of Venus and the Earth B) the atmosphere of the Earth consists of mainly carbon dioxide C) the more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the warmer the world will tend to get D) lack of atmosphere causes a very high surface temperature on Venus E) Venus had once enjoyed a climate of the sort hospitable to life How Does Brain Work? Theories about how brain works remain a topic of debate. It is agreed, though, that the hippocampus, a part of the brain, is undeniably important for memory. When we experience something, the information is sent via our senses to the hippocampus, where it is processed. Scientists believe that brain cells called neurons first transform the sensory stimuli we experience into images in our immediate memory. Then, these images are sent to the hippocampus and stored temporarily in short term memory. In the hippocampus information is organized, and it is during this process that parts of the image of our experience fade away. Finally, certain information is then transferred to long term memory in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain known as the cerebral cortex. Scientists think this process may happen while we are sleeping, but exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another is a mystery. 4. This reading is mainly concerned with ----. A) how to improve our memory B) why some of the information in short term memory fades away C) illness that results in severe memory loss

D) how human brain processes and stores information E) the importance of neurons in transferring sensory stimuli

5. According to the passage scientists ----. A) know that information is sen from the long term memory to the hippocampus B) have found out why some of the information is lost in the hippocampus C) don't know exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another D) agree on how the brain works E) still debate whether the hippocampus is important for memory 6. It is pointed out in the reading that ----. A) the brain was not considered as a highly complex organ in the past B) damage to hippocampus doesn't cause memory loss C) all of the information stored in the short term is transferred to long time memory D) hippocampus is in the frontal lobe of he brain E) scientists agree that the hippocampus is important in processing information

People With Extraordinary Abilities Fictional stories about people who have extraordinary abilities have always attracted people's attention. One of them is the story of Vera Petrova, who is able to perceive things with different parts of her skin, and through solid walls. One day she comes into his father's office and puts her hands on he door of a locked safe. Suddenly she asks her fa her why he keeps so many old newspapers locked away there. Vera's curious talent is brought to the notice of a scientific research institute and she is given a series of tests by a special commission. During these tests she manages to read a newspaper through an opaque screen and then she describes he figures and colors of a picture hidden under a carpet. During all these tests Vera is blindfold; and, indeed, except when blindfold she lacks the ability to perceive things with her skin. It was also found that although she could perceive things with her fingers this ability ceased the moment her hands were wet.

You are here: >> Home >> English Grammar Exercises >> Reading Comprehension Tests 7. As we understand from the reading, Vera Petrova ----. A) can only perceive things with her fingers B) is a curious child C) is not the only fictional character who has extraordinary abilities D) fails most of the tests administered by a special commission E) perceives the objects only when her fingers are wet

8. It is pointed out in the reading that Vera Petrova loses the ability to perceive objects with her fingers ----. A) when her father first notices this ability B) when she is asked to read a newspaper through an opaque screen C) after she is given a series of tests D) as soon as her hands get wet E) when the object is hidden under a carpet

9. According to the reading, ----. A) Vera Petrova's father asks her why she keeps the old newspapers in the locked safe B) the scientific research institute is not interested in Vera Petrova's talent C) Vera can't perceive objects with her skin unless she is blindfold D) there are several scientific research institutes which examine people like Vera E) the special commission is made up by people who can also perceive objects with their skin

The Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle occupies a disturbing and almost unbelievable place in the world's catalog of unexplained mysteries. More than a hundred planes and ships have vanished in this area into the air since 1945, and more than a thousand lives have been lost, without a single body or even a piece wreckage from the

vanishing planes or ships having been found. Many of the planes concerned have vanished while in normal radio contact with their base until the very moment of their disappearance, while others have radioed the most extraordinary messages, implying that they could not get their instruments to function, that their compasses were spinning, that the sky had turned yellow and hazy on a clear day, and the ocean, which was calm nearby, didn't look right without further clarification of what was wrong.

10. One can infer from the reading that ----. A) the wreckages of some ships and planes have been found in the Bermuda Triangle B) the number of incidents involving lost ships is no larger than that of any other heavily traveled region of the world C) the ships. and the planes couldn't contact with their base due to the lack of equipments D) the weather in Bermuda Triangle is always stormy E) the first mention of disappearances in the area was made in 1945

11. It is pointed out in the passage that ----. A) thousands of people lost their lives in the Bermuda Triangle in 1945 B) all of the disappearances happened during the day time C) the Bermuda Triangle mystery was solved in 1945 D) most of the missing planes could contact with their base by their own special means until the very moment of disappearing E) the ocean floor near Bermuda, highly unexplored, is host to many

strange phenomena

12. The reading mainly deals with ----. A) why so many ships and planes disappear in the Bermuda Triangle B) the mysterious disappearances of ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle C) the location of the Bermuda Triangle D) the frequency of the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle E) the unpredictable weather conditions in the Bermuda Triangle

Sunset
When the air is clear, the sunset will appear yellow, because the light from the sun has passed a long distance through air and the blue light has been scattered away. If the air is polluted with small particles, natural or otherwise, the sunset will be more red. Sunsets over the sea may also be orange, due to salt particles in the air. The sky around the sun is seen reddened, as well as the light coming directly from the sun. This is because all light is scattered relatively well through small angles, but blue light is then more likely to be scattered twice over the greater distances, leaving the yellow, red and orange colors. 1. As it is pointed out in the passage, the color of the sunset ----. A) may be lighter than expected due to salt particles in the air B) is red if the sky is clear C) owes its blueness to the distance between the sun and the earth D) is a combination of all the colors E) depends on the weather conditions and the location where it takes place

2. One can infer from the passage that the sunset looks yellow because ----. A) scattering does not play an appreciable role in determining the color of the transmitted light

B) the blue light is scattered on the long way through the air at that time C) the light coming directly from the sun is blue D) the air is polluted to such a degree that the Earth's climate is actually changing E) sunsets generally take place on the sea
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3. As it is pointed out in the passage, ----. A) our eyes are more sensitive to light with blue frequencies B) the red light passes easily through the air without scattering at all C) when the sun sets, only the blue light is left D) the sunset is likely to look orange when small particles, such as salt from sea spray, are in the air E) by the time the light from a sunset gets to you, only red light remains

Ultralight Airplanes
An ultralight airplane is very different from a conventional airplane. It looks like a lawn chair with wings, weighs no more than 254 pounds, flies up to 60 miles an hour, and carries about 5 gallons of fuel. Most ultralights are sold as kits and take about 40 hours to assemble. Flying an ultralight is so easy that a pilot with no experience can fly one. Accidents are rarely fatal or even serious because the ultralight lands so slowly and gently and carries so little fuel. Some models now have parachutes attached, while others have parachute packs which pilots can wear.
1. According to the passage, pilots ----. A) prefer to fly with ultralights rather than with regular aircraft B) can weigh up to 250 pounds, depending on the model of the ultralight airplane C) don't think that their ultralight airplanes are simple to use D) are reluctant to put their ultralights together E) don't need a special training to fly an ultralight airplane

2. We learn from the passage that an ultralight airplane ----. A) provides the only opportunity to fly affordably B) doesn't fly very well if it weighs less than 254 pounds

C) is inexpensive but difficult to fly D) can be put together in a short time E) is only permitted to be used for private recreational flying

3. It is pointed out in the reading that ----. A) there is more risk involved in flying ultralight aeroplanes than in flying general aviation aircraft B) ultralight airplanes can remain airborne for more than an hour C) the risk of injury to a passenger in an ultralight airplane is very low D) the gear an ultralight airplane carries can be more fragile than traditional equipment E) people who fly 'ultralights don't need a license

Practice of Medicine
Modern scientific and technological developments in the practice of medicine and public health have drawn nursing into new and wider fields of activity, and its functions have been expanded accordingly. Therefore, nursing is no longer limited mainly to activities within the hospital, or to what is called curative nursing. It has become also a community service in which preventive and rehabilitative functions are a vital part of its program. The modern concept of nursing considers the hospital, however central, as only one of many health agencies in the community. 1. As we understand from the reading, today ----. A) the only reason people go to hospitals is for nursing care B) most of the nursing practice now takes place in people's homes C) hospitals are not the only setting where people receive care or support D) scientific and technological developments can't improve the quality of care that is delivered in hospitals E) nursing care is not vital to the core competency of hospitals any more 2. One can infer from the passage that ----. A) nurses were treating more people in the patient's own home in the past B) hospitals are the only places where nursing care is crucial C) nurses don't see the hospital and clinic as important units in the

community health program D) hospitals are still the most important component of the healthcare sector E) nursing shortage has had significant consequences during the past few years 3. According to the passage, the nurse's function has been expanded because of ---. A) the nurse's activities in the hospital B) hospitals, which are the most common work environments for nurses C) the reluctance of nurses to work in the hospital D) the necessity of working longer hours E) the progress in science and technology in related fields

Traffic Accidents
Much of the blood on the street flows essentially from uncivil behavior of drivers who refuse to respect the legal and moral rights of others. So the massacre on the road may be regarded as a social problem. Safety standards for vehicle have been raised both at the point of manufacture and through periodic road-worthiness inspections. In addition, speed limits have been lowered. Due to these measures, the accident rate has decreased. But the accident experts still worry because there has been little or no improvement in the way drivers behave. 1. According to the passage, traffic accidents may be regarded as a social problem since ----. A) the motor vehicle is a very dangerous invention B) the accidents have more to do with hazardous conditions than hazardous drivers C) most of the accidents are caused by drivers who don't pay attention to the traffic rules D) the irresponsibility that accounts for much of the problem is not confined to drivers E) traffic accidents can cause serious economic damage 2. According to the passage, the number of accidents has fallen because ----. A) significant advances have been made towards safer driving B) many people now know that driving is a skilled task requiring constant care and concentration

C) drivers are warned to take extra care on the roads D) drivers have finally learned how to behave E) there has been improvement in the way drivers behave

3. It is pointed out in the passage that those who violate traffic regulations ----. A) are the most inexperienced drivers that we have on the roads B) always blame the road conditions C) don't have prior traffic violations or crashes on their records D) are the biggest threat to those with whom they share the road E) don't know most of the traffic rules and regulations