Reading Comprehension: Fine Arts

1. * Choose the meaning that is closest to the meaning of the verb underlined. Mrs. Wilson made the children wash their hands before dinner.

Gave them no choice

Persuaded them

Requested them to do this

The correct answer suggests that Mrs. Wilson made the children wash their hands before dinner by giving them no choice. This means that she did not ask or request them to do it, but rather enforced it without allowing any alternative options.

Explanation

The correct answer suggests that Mrs. Wilson made the children wash their hands before dinner by giving them no choice. This means that she did not ask or request them to do it, but rather enforced it without allowing any alternative options.

2. Topic B: Fine arts (major: visual and performing arts, architecture, music, film, photography) [ Text ] (1) The ancient Egyptian art form evolved over five thousand years ago with the emergence of the early Egyptian civilization along the Nile River Valley, and remained relatively unchanged for the next three millennia. Egyptian art had a number of strict conventions for representing the human body that makes the style immediately recognizable to even the most untrained eye. Men are traditionally shown in white loincloths and women in short sleeved linen dresses. There were some slight changes in dress as new fashions became widespread, but most were just variations upon this singular theme. The musculature and joints such as the knees are drawn well most likely due to the Egyptian's knowledge of anatomy gleaned through mummification practices. Yet, the pictures give a distorted representation of the body. Almost without exception the head is drawn in profile by a strict outline at a perfect ninety degree angle to its frontally posed broad shoulders. The eyes, wide-open and looking forward, are drawn facing the painter and detailed in full. The torso is at three-quarters view, but legs and arms are again in profile and depicted one in front of the other, clearly demonstrating motion. Outlined from the big toe upwards, feet are both painted from the inside so that the figure appears to have two same feet. (2) It was through paintings that the ancient Egyptian artists expressed their intentions. They had very keen eyes for detail and like a botanist who describes every single part of a flower, the artists were attentive in describing their subjects. Symbolism is apparent not only in the depictions of the individuals but also in the colors and animals. People drawn with big eyes and broad foreheads stood for sagacity and the images of a pharaoh holding a mace was symbolic of the king's role in protecting Egypt from chaos even though few ever went into battle. The use of blue or green emblematized the Nile and yellow the Sun.Numerous animals adorn many of the pictures found and are drawn with scrupulous scrutiny into detail. Those which delineate pharaohs included renderings of falcons often hovering over their heads with outstretched wings. Since the most important aspect of these paintings is that they were often meant to be an accompaniment for the deceased in the other world, the artist's primary goal was to preserve everything of the present time as permanently as possible. (3) One constant between all the paintings is that unitary exactness was stressed over cosmetic representation, but the meticulous homeometric regularity of figures did not filter over into perspective. In order to display distance, objects farther away were placed in the upper section or were painted over. Artists conservatively prepared walls for paintings by marking red horizontal and vertical guidelines and built specific grid patterns for standing figures arranging homogeneous bodily features for each symbolized individual with great emphasis on proportion. Murals, like Egyptian society as a whole, were characterized by their sense of order and harmonic balance. Scenes set on baselines depict events in chronological sequence, from right to left, focusing on one central character in the story, usually the tomb owner, a God or a king. In addition, since artists were charged with reinforcing social hierarchy, they were forced to draw figures in approximate sizes based not on their perceived distance from the observer, but on their relative importance. The pharaoh, for instance, is illustrated as the largest figure in the painting regardless of where he or she is situated. A lesser God is drawn smaller than a greater God. Wives and commoners are portrayed diminutively, towering only over children and some animals. As a result, artists painted an extraordinarily vivid view of life in ancient Egypt, confined by inexorable categorization of people based on social class and persistent laws of artistic presentation. B-16. The word slight in the paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to

Operative

Minor

Frank

Staggering

The word "slight" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to "minor". This is because the sentence states that there were some slight changes in dress, indicating that the changes were not significant or major.

Explanation

The word "slight" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to "minor". This is because the sentence states that there were some slight changes in dress, indicating that the changes were not significant or major.

3. < The San Andreas Fault > Chapter 1: Southern and central segments. Chapter 2: Northern Segments Chapter 3: Notable Earthquakes Chapter 4: Scientific Research Chapter 5: Pop Culture Reference Chapter 6: The Next Big one. Q) The reader is looking for a description of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The reader would probably find this information most quickly and easily by looking first in which part of the book?

Chapter one

Chapter three

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter three, titled "Notable Earthquakes," would be the most likely place to find a description of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This chapter is specifically focused on discussing significant earthquakes, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake is a well-known and historically important event. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the description of this earthquake would be included in this chapter.

Explanation

Chapter three, titled "Notable Earthquakes," would be the most likely place to find a description of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This chapter is specifically focused on discussing significant earthquakes, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake is a well-known and historically important event. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the description of this earthquake would be included in this chapter.

4. * Read the passage and answer the question. It is easy to say, "Enlarge your vocabulary: first, that you may enter upon the privileges of a cultivated person: and second, that you may be able to to tell the truth easily and accurately." But it is another and more difficult matter to prescribe the means by which this is to be done. Every student must, to a large degree, work out his or her own method. the reading of the best books and conversation with cultivated people are both helps to the free use of words. The dictionary is the best friend for your task. Never allow a strange word to pass unchallenged. Usually, it is wide to look it up at the moment. If that is impossible, it must be written firmly on the memory and traced at the first opportunity. It is good to encourage in yourself the habit of dawdling a little over the dictionary. It is the only place where dawdling reaps a harvest. To learn two new words a day-thoroughly to learn them, so that their use will not have a foreign accent-is to insure a large vocabulary before you reach middle age. Q) The paragraph states that you can enlarge your vocabulary by:

Any means possible.

Using the dictionary often.

Accepting the privileges of a cultivated person.

Developing your memory.

The paragraph suggests that one can enlarge their vocabulary by using the dictionary often. It emphasizes the importance of not allowing a strange word to pass unchallenged and looking it up in the dictionary. It also encourages the habit of dawdling over the dictionary to thoroughly learn new words. Therefore, using the dictionary frequently is presented as a means to expand one's vocabulary.

Explanation

The paragraph suggests that one can enlarge their vocabulary by using the dictionary often. It emphasizes the importance of not allowing a strange word to pass unchallenged and looking it up in the dictionary. It also encourages the habit of dawdling over the dictionary to thoroughly learn new words. Therefore, using the dictionary frequently is presented as a means to expand one's vocabulary.

5. [ Question 12-15 ] Read the passage below and answer the FOUR questions that follow. Before one begins to read an unfamiliar work of literature, it is often helpful to know what kind of work it is--that is, what genre it belongs to. If we know what expectations we should have, we are less likely to misunderstand what the author is trying to accomplish. The Lord of the Rings is a work of fiction written in the middle of this century about a world that greatly resembles medieval times in Europe. It is unmistakably a novel, yet the real significance of the events and the characters will be clearer to readers who know something about the literary tradition, or genre, called the epic, and who have read, for example, The Odyssey or Beowulf. Moreover, there is a special kind of pleasure in the recognition of familiar patterns of events and characterization, which are varied and even deliberately reversed. The skillful interplay of a great storyteller like Tolkien. No one, of course, knows exactly what the Middle Ages were really like, but readers get an illusion in The Lord of the Rings of being in an ancient world which is in some mysterious way part of the history of our own world. Then, after the fashion of the epic tradition, they will expect that the story will follow the movements of a particular person who is of heroic stature (physically and mentally) and who embodies the ideals and values of a particular people. Readers feel sure that the hero will, like the heroes in The Odyssey and Beowulf, go on a journey and experience a variety of adventures, which he will survive after many hardships and will then return to his own home and people. Q) Which of the following is probably the intended audience for this passage?

Students of the Middle Ages

Those preparing to read The Odyssey

Those preparing to read The Lord of the Rings

Those preparing to read Beowulf

The passage provides information about the genre and literary tradition that The Lord of the Rings belongs to, and discusses the significance and pleasure of recognizing familiar patterns in the story. Therefore, the intended audience for this passage is likely those who are preparing to read The Lord of the Rings.

Explanation

The passage provides information about the genre and literary tradition that The Lord of the Rings belongs to, and discusses the significance and pleasure of recognizing familiar patterns in the story. Therefore, the intended audience for this passage is likely those who are preparing to read The Lord of the Rings.

6. Topic B: Fine arts (major: visual and performing arts, architecture, music, film, photography) B-18.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?

The artist believed that by accurately recording everything in their paintings, they could ensure that these depictions would accompany the deceased into the afterlife. This suggests that the artist saw their artwork as a means of preserving the essence of life and aiding the deceased in their journey to the other world.

Explanation

The artist believed that by accurately recording everything in their paintings, they could ensure that these depictions would accompany the deceased into the afterlife. This suggests that the artist saw their artwork as a means of preserving the essence of life and aiding the deceased in their journey to the other world.

7. [ Question 12-15 ] Q) It may be inferred that readers who expect The Lord of the Rings to contain elements of the epic tradition will:

Have a background that the author of this passage does not share.

Have ignored this passage.

Have misread this passage.

Have their expectations fulfilled.

Readers who expect The Lord of the Rings to contain elements of the epic tradition will have their expectations fulfilled. This can be inferred from the passage as it mentions that the novel draws upon the epic tradition and incorporates elements such as heroic quests, battles, and mythical creatures. The author does not share the same background as these readers, but it does not imply that they have ignored or misread the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is that their expectations will be fulfilled.

Explanation

Readers who expect The Lord of the Rings to contain elements of the epic tradition will have their expectations fulfilled. This can be inferred from the passage as it mentions that the novel draws upon the epic tradition and incorporates elements such as heroic quests, battles, and mythical creatures. The author does not share the same background as these readers, but it does not imply that they have ignored or misread the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is that their expectations will be fulfilled.

8. Choose the meaning that is closest to the meaning of the verb underlined. The teacher had her class writie a composition.

Gave them no choice

Persuaded them

Requested them to do this

The sentence states that the teacher "had" her class write a composition, indicating that it was not optional or up for debate. This suggests that the teacher requested or instructed the class to write the composition, rather than persuading or giving them a choice. Therefore, the closest meaning to the underlined verb is "requested them to do this."

Explanation

The sentence states that the teacher "had" her class write a composition, indicating that it was not optional or up for debate. This suggests that the teacher requested or instructed the class to write the composition, rather than persuading or giving them a choice. Therefore, the closest meaning to the underlined verb is "requested them to do this."

9. Q) Fill the blank 3)

Underlying

Get the scoop on

Coverage

Take a break

Catch

not-available-via-ai

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

10. * Read the passage and answer the question. Chemical weapons were first used by Germany during World War 1. Britain, France, and the United States soon followed suit. Soldiers suffocated in poisonous clouds of chlorine; when the gas mask was invented, combatants deployed the more pervasive and persistent mustard gas, which caused severe blistering, clouded eyes, seared lungs, and if the victim survived, a greater chance of developing cancer. Immediately following the war, members of the League of Nations began formulating a comprehensive international ban on chemical weapons, although many signatories reserved the right to produce them as a retaliatory measure. The United States did not add its signature until fifty years later, in 1975. Q) We can conclude from the last sentence that the United States:

Suffered more than most countries in chemical warfare.

Was reluctant to give up its right to produce chemical weapons.

Waited until all countries signed the 1925 Geneva Protocol.

Detested war and all its horrible weapons.

The passage states that the United States did not sign the international ban on chemical weapons until fifty years later, implying that they were reluctant to give up their right to produce them. This suggests that the United States had reservations about completely abandoning the production of chemical weapons, indicating that they were hesitant to give up this capability.

Explanation

The passage states that the United States did not sign the international ban on chemical weapons until fifty years later, implying that they were reluctant to give up their right to produce them. This suggests that the United States had reservations about completely abandoning the production of chemical weapons, indicating that they were hesitant to give up this capability.

11. Topic B: Fine arts (major: visual and performing arts, architecture, music, film, photography) B-17. Which of the following is NOT given as a characteristic of Egyptian paintings in paragraph 1?

Eyes looking out on the observer

Poorly defined muscles in the arms

Face described in profile

Partial view of the upper body

The passage discusses various characteristics of Egyptian paintings in paragraph 1, such as eyes looking out on the observer, face described in profile, and partial view of the upper body. However, there is no mention of poorly defined muscles in the arms as a characteristic of Egyptian paintings.

Explanation

The passage discusses various characteristics of Egyptian paintings in paragraph 1, such as eyes looking out on the observer, face described in profile, and partial view of the upper body. However, there is no mention of poorly defined muscles in the arms as a characteristic of Egyptian paintings.

12. * Read the passage and answer the question. Talking with a young man about success and a career, Doctor Samuel Johnson advised the youth to "know something about everything, and everything about something." The advice was good--in Doctor Johnson's day, when London was an isolated village, and it took a week to get the news from Paris, Rome, and Berlin. Today, if a man were to take all knowledge for his province and try to know something about everything, the allotment of time would give one minute to each subject, and soon the youth would flit from topic to topic as a butterfly from flower to flower, and life would be about as evanescent as the butterfly, that lives for the present honey and moment. Today commercial, literary, or inventive success means concentration. Q) In order to be successful, the writer would probably advise youth:

To act more seriously and live life day to day.

To spend more time studying subjects they like.

To know something about everything only.

To concentrate and specialize in one area.

The passage explains that in Doctor Johnson's time, it was beneficial to have a broad knowledge base. However, in today's fast-paced world, where information is readily available, the writer suggests that in order to be successful, the youth should concentrate and specialize in one area. This implies that focusing on a specific field allows for more in-depth knowledge and expertise, which is valued in commercial, literary, or inventive success.

Explanation

The passage explains that in Doctor Johnson's time, it was beneficial to have a broad knowledge base. However, in today's fast-paced world, where information is readily available, the writer suggests that in order to be successful, the youth should concentrate and specialize in one area. This implies that focusing on a specific field allows for more in-depth knowledge and expertise, which is valued in commercial, literary, or inventive success.

13. Choose one sentence which is not relate to the main idea of the passage. The discovery of America was an accident. It was the result of Europe's desire for trade with China and India. In 1492, Christopher Columbus set out under the flag of Spain to find a direct sea route to the rich trading areas of the Far East. (1) He hoped to find a shorter route to China and India. (2) So he sailed due west across the Atlantic. (3) Instead, he found two huge continents that were until then unknown to Europe. (4) They blocked his way to the Far East. (5) These two continents were North America and South America.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

The sentence "They blocked his way to the Far East" is not related to the main idea of the passage, which is about the discovery of America and Columbus' search for a sea route to China and India. This sentence is more about the obstacle that Columbus encountered rather than the main idea of his mission.

Explanation

The sentence "They blocked his way to the Far East" is not related to the main idea of the passage, which is about the discovery of America and Columbus' search for a sea route to China and India. This sentence is more about the obstacle that Columbus encountered rather than the main idea of his mission.

14. Topic B: Fine arts (major: visual and performing arts, architecture, music, film, photography) B-19. Why does the author mention Wives and commoners in the passage?

To categorize Egyptian people into different social classes.

To demonstrate how social strata were represented in paintings

To suggest that they played an important role in Egyptian society

To argue that they cared about children and animals greatly

The author mentions wives and commoners in the passage to demonstrate how social strata were represented in Egyptian paintings. This suggests that the artists depicted different social classes in their artwork, highlighting the importance of social hierarchy in Egyptian society.

Explanation

The author mentions wives and commoners in the passage to demonstrate how social strata were represented in Egyptian paintings. This suggests that the artists depicted different social classes in their artwork, highlighting the importance of social hierarchy in Egyptian society.

15. * Read the descriptions of some TV news programs. Choose the correct words and phrases. < Regional Recap > Are you addicted to the news? This Friday morning program features all of your favorite stories from the previous week, so you can enjoy them all again. Especially useful for busy people who didn't catch all of the details of their favorite stories during the week. < All news is Good News! > If you need to (1) _______ from negative news stories, you'll appreciate our coverage of only positive stories. We (2) ________ stories about success, lucky breaks, and ordinary people who have become heroes in their communities. Join us for our daily message of hope and happiness. Q) Fill the blank 1)

Underlying

Get the scoop on

Coverage

Take a break

Catch

The blank should be filled with "take a break" because it fits the context of the sentence. The sentence mentions the need to "take a break" from negative news stories, indicating that this program provides a break from such news by only covering positive stories.

Explanation

The blank should be filled with "take a break" because it fits the context of the sentence. The sentence mentions the need to "take a break" from negative news stories, indicating that this program provides a break from such news by only covering positive stories.

16. Q) Fill the blank (2)

Underlying

Get the scoop on

Coverage

Take a break

Catch

"Get the scoop on" means to obtain information or details about something. This phrase is commonly used when someone wants to learn about the latest news or gossip. It implies that the person is seeking inside information or exclusive details.

Explanation

"Get the scoop on" means to obtain information or details about something. This phrase is commonly used when someone wants to learn about the latest news or gossip. It implies that the person is seeking inside information or exclusive details.

17. [ Question 12-15 ] Q) The author implies which of the following about the conclusion of The Lord of the Rings?

It is a happy one.

It is a unique one.

It has been plagiarized.

It is very much like the opening of the novel.

The author implies that the conclusion of The Lord of the Rings is a happy one. This can be inferred from the fact that the answer choices mention other possibilities such as it being unique, plagiarized, or similar to the opening of the novel, but the only positive option is that it is happy.

Explanation

The author implies that the conclusion of The Lord of the Rings is a happy one. This can be inferred from the fact that the answer choices mention other possibilities such as it being unique, plagiarized, or similar to the opening of the novel, but the only positive option is that it is happy.

18. [ Question 12-15 ] Q) The central point of the passage is best summarized as follows:

The heroes in Tolkien's story are identical to those in The Odyssey or Beowulf.

Ons should read familiar works of literature before reading and unfamiliar one.

The history of the ancient world is related to the history of our own world.

Fully appreciating The Lord of the Rings involves familiarity with the epic tradition.

The central point of the passage is that in order to fully appreciate The Lord of the Rings, one needs to be familiar with the epic tradition. This implies that the heroes in Tolkien's story are similar to those in The Odyssey or Beowulf, and that reading familiar works of literature before reading an unfamiliar one can enhance understanding. Additionally, it suggests that the history of the ancient world is related to our own world.

Explanation

The central point of the passage is that in order to fully appreciate The Lord of the Rings, one needs to be familiar with the epic tradition. This implies that the heroes in Tolkien's story are similar to those in The Odyssey or Beowulf, and that reading familiar works of literature before reading an unfamiliar one can enhance understanding. Additionally, it suggests that the history of the ancient world is related to our own world.

19. Topic B: Fine arts (major: visual and performing arts, architecture, music, film, photography) 5. Complete the summary by selecting the three answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Ancient Egyptian pictures all contain their won distinctive features. 1) 2) 3)

Early Egyptian artists lacked the advanced knowledge necessary to precisely draw the human body.

Abstract representations of religious and conceptual themes were often incorporated in the Egyptian arts.

A variety of types of animals and plants were without exception drawn to give life to paintings.

The human form is always portrayed in a pose that appears unnatural.

The location and size of an object in murals were determined by firm rules.

Consistency found in Egyptian paintings is the primary reason for their superior artistic value.

The passage discusses various characteristics of Ancient Egyptian pictures. It mentions that abstract representations of religious and conceptual themes were often incorporated in the arts, indicating the importance of symbolism in Egyptian art. It also states that the human form is always portrayed in an unnatural pose, suggesting a stylized approach to representing the human body. Additionally, it mentions that the location and size of objects in murals were determined by firm rules, highlighting the use of specific guidelines in Egyptian art. These three ideas together provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive features of Ancient Egyptian pictures.

Explanation

The passage discusses various characteristics of Ancient Egyptian pictures. It mentions that abstract representations of religious and conceptual themes were often incorporated in the arts, indicating the importance of symbolism in Egyptian art. It also states that the human form is always portrayed in an unnatural pose, suggesting a stylized approach to representing the human body. Additionally, it mentions that the location and size of objects in murals were determined by firm rules, highlighting the use of specific guidelines in Egyptian art. These three ideas together provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive features of Ancient Egyptian pictures.

Submit

20. * Rearrange the order of the following sentences to make one complete paragraph. 1. Then, too, my mother wanted me to stay close to my sister. 2. I argued that two years of study abroad would help me a lot at this stage of my career. 3. For one thing, my father was not well. 4. Finally my sister offered to stay at home along during my absence. 5. I found it hard to leave my home and travel to another land. 6. This made some of my problems begin to vanish.

The first sentence

The second sentence

The third sentence

The fourth sentence

The fifth sentence

The sixth sentence

Submit