Reading Comprehension Conclusion Quiz

1.

The study of history provides many benefits. First, we learn from the past. We may repeat mistakes, but, at least, we have the opportunity to avoid them. Second, history teaches us what questions to ask about the present. Contrary to some people’s view, the study of history is not the memorization of names, dates, and places. It is the thoughtful examination of the forces that have shaped the courses of human life. We can examine events from the past and then draw inferences about current events. History teaches us about likely outcomes. Another benefit of the study of history is the broad range of human experience which is covered. War and peace are certainly covered as are national and international affairs. However, matters of culture (art, literature, and music) are also included in historical study. Human nature is an important part of history: emotions like passion, greed, and insecurity have influenced the shaping of world affairs. Anyone who thinks that the study of history is boring has not really studied history.What is the main idea of this passage?

A.

Studying history helps us to live in today’s world.
B.

Studying history is riot just memorization.
C.

The role of education is to help students deal with real life.
D.

Students should study both national and international history.

Correct Answer
A. Studying history helps us to live in today’s world.

Explanation
The main idea of this passage is that studying history helps us to live in today's world. The passage explains that by learning from the past, we have the opportunity to avoid repeating mistakes. It also emphasizes that studying history is not just about memorizing facts, but rather about examining the forces that have shaped human life and drawing inferences about current events. Additionally, the passage mentions that studying history provides a broad range of human experience, including matters of culture and the influence of human nature on world affairs. Therefore, the main idea is that studying history is beneficial for understanding and navigating the present.

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2.

All water molecules form six-sided structures as they freeze and become snow crystals. The shape of a snow crystal is determined by temperature, vapor, and wind conditions in the upper atmosphere. A snow crystal is always symmetrical because these conditions affect all six of its sides simultaneously.The purpose of the passage is to present

A.

A personal observation
B.

A solution to a problem
C.

Factual information
D.

Opposing scientific theories

Correct Answer
C. Factual information

Explanation
The passage provides factual information about the formation and shape of snow crystals. It explains that all water molecules form six-sided structures when they freeze into snow crystals, and the shape of a snow crystal is determined by temperature, vapor, and wind conditions in the upper atmosphere. It also states that a snow crystal is always symmetrical because these conditions affect all six of its sides simultaneously. The purpose of the passage is to present this factual information about snow crystals.

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3.

In the words of Thomas De Quincey, “It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you lay burdens upon it.” If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan to remember the names. Say to yourself, “I’ll listen carefully; I’ll repeat each person’s name to be sure I have it, and I will remember.” You’ll discover how effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of your life.The passage suggests that people remember names best when they

A.

Meet new people
B.

Are intelligent
C.

Decide to do so
D.

Are interested in people

Correct Answer
C. Decide to do so

Explanation
The passage suggests that people remember names best when they make a conscious decision to do so. By actively deciding to listen carefully, repeat each person's name, and commit to remembering, individuals can improve their ability to recall names. The passage implies that simply being interested in people or meeting new people is not enough to ensure good name recall; it requires a deliberate decision to focus and remember.

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4.

Many people have owned, or have heard of, traditional “piggy banks,” coin banks shaped like pigs. A logical theory about how this tradition started might be that because pigs often symbolize greed, the object is to “fatten” one’s piggy bank with as much money as possible. However, while this idea makes sense, it is not the correct origin of the term. The genesis of the piggy bank is the old English word “pygg,” which was a common kind of clay hundreds of years ago in England. People used pots and jars made out of this red “pygg” clay for many different purposes in their homes. Sometimes they kept their money in one of the pots, and this was known as a pygg bank. Over the years, because “pygg” and “pig” sounded the same, glaziers began making novelty banks out of pottery in the shape of a pig as a kind of joke. These banks were given as gifts and exported to countries where people spoke other languages and where no one had ever heard of pygg clay. The tradition caught on all over the world, and today piggy banks come in all colors and are made of all kinds of materials, including plastic. This passage is mainly about how

A.

People in different countries save their money
B.

People in England made pottery centuries ago
C.

A common term originated in a surprising way
D.

an unusual custom got started

Correct Answer
C. A common term originated in a surprising way

Explanation
The passage explains the origin of the term "piggy bank" and how it originated in a surprising way. It states that the term came from the old English word "pygg," which was a type of clay used to make pots and jars. People used these pots to store their money, and over time, glaziers began making banks in the shape of a pig as a joke. The tradition caught on worldwide, and today piggy banks come in various materials and colors. Therefore, the passage is mainly about how a common term, "piggy bank," originated in a surprising way.

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5.

Samuel Morse, best known today as the inventor of Morse Code and one of the inventors of the telegraph, was originally a prominent painter. While he was always interested in technology and studied electrical engineering in college, Morse went to Paris to learn from famous artists of his day and later painted many pictures that now hang in museums, including a portrait of former President John Adams. In 1825, Morse was in Washington, D.C., painting a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette when a messenger arrived on horseback to tell him that his wife was gravely ill back at his home in Connecticut. The message had taken several days to reach him because of the distance. Morse rushed to his home as fast as he could, but his wife had already passed away by the time he arrived. Grief-stricken, he gave up painting and devoted the rest of his life to finding ways to transmit messages over long distances faster.Morse left the art world and helped to invent the telegraph because he

A.

Was tired of painting
B.

Wanted to communicate with people far away
C.

Experienced a personal tragedy in his life
D.

Was fascinated by science

Correct Answer
C. Experienced a personal tragedy in his life

Explanation
Morse left the art world and helped to invent the telegraph because he experienced a personal tragedy in his life. After receiving news of his wife's grave illness, Morse rushed home but arrived too late as she had already passed away. This devastating event led him to give up painting and dedicate his life to finding ways to transmit messages faster over long distances.

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6.

Leonardo da Vinci is not only one of the most famous artists in history, but he was also a botanist, a writer, and an inventor. Even though most of his inventions were not actually built in his lifetime, many of today’s modern machines can be traced back to some of his original designs. The parachute, the military tank, the bicycle, and even the airplane were foretold in the imaginative drawings that can still be seen in the fragments of da Vinci’s notebooks. Over 500 years ago, this man conceived ideas that were far ahead of his time.The author of this passage is praising da Vinci primarily for his

A.

Artistic talent
B.

Intelligence
C.

Foresight
D.

Fame

Correct Answer
C. Foresight

Explanation
The author of this passage is praising da Vinci primarily for his foresight. The passage mentions that da Vinci's inventions were not built in his lifetime, but many of today's modern machines can be traced back to his original designs. This shows that da Vinci had the ability to envision and imagine concepts that were ahead of his time. His foresight allowed him to come up with ideas that were revolutionary and influential, even though they were not realized during his lifetime.

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