Assignment 3 - Reading Test

In paragraph 2, it is implied that Jo's schoolfriends had influenced her decision to leave her hometown. The text states that they "had made Jo feel" a certain way, indicating that their actions or words had an impact on her. This suggests that they had made Jo feel that she should leave her home town, implying that they played a role in her decision to move.

The correct answer is B. The bottles are filled again after being returned, collected and washed. This answer accurately describes the process of "reuse" by stating that the bottles are first returned, then collected, washed, and finally filled again. This sequence of actions demonstrates the proper order in which the bottles are handled in the reuse process.

The passage discusses the topic of the recycling movement and what it entails. It likely provides information on the various aspects of recycling, such as the process, benefits, and challenges associated with it. The passage may also discuss the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment.

The passage discusses the decline in marriage rates, the increase in divorce rates, and the decrease in the average duration of marriages in the United States. However, it does not provide any information or evidence about the number of children Americans are having. Therefore, the passage does not support the statement that Americans are having fewer children than they did in the past.

Europe is described as one of the most industrialized areas due to its advanced and developed manufacturing and industrial sectors. It is home to several highly industrialized countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, which are known for their strong industrial base and technological advancements. Europe's industrialization began during the Industrial Revolution and has continued to thrive, making it a prominent region for industrial activities and economic growth.

The correct answer suggests that Jo's home town is described as uninteresting and located in the middle of the countryside. This implies that the town lacks excitement or notable features and is situated in a rural area away from urban centers.

Jo's initial thought about the flat in Ringsend was that it might not be as suitable for her as it first sounded in the advertisement.

The term "toffee-nosed" in paragraph 5 refers to someone who feels superior. This means that the person has an attitude of arrogance or snobbery, looking down on others and considering themselves to be better or more important. The term suggests a sense of haughtiness or condescension.

The word "precious" implies something of great value or importance. "Invaluable" means extremely valuable or priceless, which is the closest in meaning to "precious." Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

In paragraph A, the word "those" is used to refer to a specific group of people. The paragraph discusses the challenges faced by married Americans who are struggling financially. Since the word "those" is used to refer to the group of people facing these challenges, it can be inferred that "those" refers to adult Americans, as they are the ones mentioned in the paragraph.

The word "unprecedented" means something that has never been seen or done before. This is closest in meaning to "never before seen."

According to the paragraph, it is stated that "Americans are spending fewer years in their adult lives married." This implies that the correct answer (B) is not true, as it contradicts the information provided in the paragraph.

During the period between 1890 and the 1950s, the age at which men first married experienced a significant decrease of over 3 years. This implies that men were getting married at a younger age compared to before, indicating a shift in societal norms and cultural practices surrounding marriage during this time period.

In paragraph C, the author provides evidence that the median age at first marriage increased from the 1960s to the 1990s. This indicates that more people were getting married at a later age during this time period.

The writer felt contented after Mr Malseed had spoken because everything was as it had always been. This suggests that the writer finds comfort in the familiarity and stability of their surroundings, and perhaps finds solace in the fact that nothing has changed or gone wrong.

The word 'motto' refers to a short phrase or statement that expresses a guiding principle or belief. It is a concise expression of a person or organization's values or principles. Therefore, the word 'motto' is closest in meaning to the word 'belief'.

The correct answer suggests that the girl who passed Jo on the stairs did not like both the flat and the other girls living there. This can be inferred from the given options, where option B states that she liked neither the flat nor the other girls. The other options do not provide any information about her feelings towards the flat or the other girls. Therefore, option B is the most accurate explanation based on the given information.

Jo's initial thought when she first met Pauline was that she knew very little about people who looked like Pauline. This suggests that Jo did not have any preconceived notions or judgments about Pauline based on her appearance. Instead, Jo recognized her lack of knowledge and understanding about individuals who resembled Pauline, indicating an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude towards her.

The phrase "can't stand" expresses a strong dislike or intolerance towards something or someone. On the other hand, the phrase "put up with" means to tolerate or endure something that is unpleasant or undesirable. Therefore, "can't stand" and "put up with" are opposite in meaning, as one implies a lack of tolerance while the other implies acceptance or endurance.

The explanation for the correct answer, A. came from the same area, is that the paragraph states that the four friends and the Malseeds "all hailed from the same patch of South Australia." This suggests that they all came from the same area or region in South Australia.

The correct answer is B because it states that the reason the friends would walk to Ardbeag the next day is because it is what they always did. This implies that walking to Ardbeag is a regular activity for them and they have a habit of doing so.

The correct answer is C. Aluminum cans and spent motor oil. This is because the question asks for examples of recycling, and aluminum cans and spent motor oil are commonly recycled materials.

The passage mentions "recent demographic patterns" which implies that it is referring to the current trends in society. The correct answer, option D, states that an increasing number of young people will never marry. This can be inferred from the phrase "recent demographic patterns" as it suggests a shift in marriage patterns where more young people are choosing not to get married.

The phrase "median age" refers to the age at which half of the population has married. It represents the midpoint where half of the population is younger and half is older in terms of marriage.

In paragraph D, the word "interval" refers to a specific length of time. The phrase "length of time" has the same meaning as "interval" as it also refers to a specific duration or period.

The word "them" in the last paragraph refers to unmarried couples. This can be inferred from the context of the paragraph, which discusses the challenges faced by unmarried couples when it comes to buying a home. The pronoun "them" is used to refer back to this specific group of individuals.

In paragraph 2, the word "this" is referring to Glencorn.

In paragraph 1, the passage discusses the process of finding accommodation. It mentions that the author had to search for a place to stay and ask for recommendations from friends. Therefore, "it" in paragraph 1 refers to the action of finding accommodation.

According to the last paragraph, it is stated that Nessa produced three mugs.

In the extract, Nessa expresses her opinion that Jo would be more suitable as a flatmate compared to the previous applicant. This suggests that Nessa has evaluated both applicants and believes that Jo would be a better fit for the flat. The information provided does not indicate anything about Nessa and Pauline's expectations or desires regarding sharing their flat, or about other people who have moved out. Therefore, options A, B, and D can be ruled out, leaving option C as the correct answer.

The writer particularly liked Mr Malseed because he made guests feel like friends.

The reason why the garbage dumps in some areas have relatively little glass and plastic is because each returned bottle is paid. This means that people are incentivized to return their bottles, resulting in fewer bottles being thrown away and ending up in the garbage dumps.

The given question asks for an exception among the given options for reducing waste. Options A, B, and C all suggest ways to reduce waste, such as buying high-quality products that last longer, buying simply-wrapped items to reduce packaging waste, and reusing cups instead of using disposable ones. Option D, however, does not directly relate to waste reduction. While buying fewer hamburgers may have indirect environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions from the meat industry, it does not directly address waste reduction. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it does not fit the pattern of the other options.

The word "sensitive" in the phrase "sensitive to the environment" means being aware of and responsive to the needs and concerns of the environment. It implies being considerate, caring, and respectful towards the environment, and taking actions to protect and preserve it.

In the 6th paragraph, it is mentioned that after the journey, they felt "exhausted and drained." This indicates that they were tired after the journey.

Customers buy low-quality products because they will soon throw them away. This suggests that the products are not durable or long-lasting, leading to a waste of resources and money. If customers know that the products will not last, they may be more inclined to buy cheaper, low-quality items instead of investing in higher-quality, more expensive options.

The Malseeds no longer advertised Glencorn Lodge because it was not necessary. This suggests that they were able to attract enough customers without the need for advertising. It could be that the lodge had a good reputation and word-of-mouth referrals were enough to keep the business going. Alternatively, they may have had a loyal customer base that regularly returned to stay at the lodge, reducing the need for advertising to attract new customers. Overall, the lack of necessity indicates that their existing methods of attracting guests were sufficient.

Dekko and the writer have in common that people did not call them by their real names. This suggests that both of them had nicknames or alternative names that were commonly used by others when addressing them.

The special feature of the rooms at Glencorn Lodge was that they did not have numbers. This implies that the rooms were likely identified or differentiated in some other way, possibly through unique names or symbols. The absence of numbers could add a unique and personalized touch to the lodge's rooms, making them stand out from other accommodations.

Kitty made the friends laugh by paying them a compliment. This suggests that Kitty said something positive or flattering about them, which caused them to find it amusing or funny.