English reading passages (for dtm test takers)

6. According to the passage, spices were first used ... .
A) in the West in the early Middle Ages
B) mostly in medicine and religion
C) to make partially spoiled meat edible
D) to change the flavour of foods
7. According to the passage, the ancient Greeks and Romans used spices for all the following, except ....
A) in certain drinks to add flavour
B) to keep food from going bad
C) to make food taste even better
D) in religion to please their gods
8 . According to the passage, all statements are TRUE, EXCEPT ... .
A) Ancient Romans never used spices to flavour food
B) Eastern peoples have known spices for a long time
C) Spices were expensive things
D) Spices were used in medicine in very early times


Read the text and answer the questions according to it.

The human race’s progress on the Earth has been due in part to the animals that people

have been able to use throughout history. Such domesticated animals carry people and
their burdens. They pull machinery and help cultivate fields. They provide food and clothing. As pets they may amuse or cheer up their owners. Domesticated animals are those that have been raised in captivity for many generations. While a single animal may be domesticated, only a species o f animal can be considered domesticated. In the course of time, certain animals have changed greatly in appearance and behaviour from their wild parents. There is a vast difference between the thin red jungle bird of southern Asia and its child, the meaty, egg-laying farm chicken. Not all domestic animals are domesticated at all times. An angry bull, a mother goose, or a mother pig with young piglets can be cruel. Some creatures confined in zoos are raised in captivity. The lion is an example. These animals are not domesticated for they remain wild and dangerous.


9. The author suggests that ....
A) it would be impossible to transport machines without the help of animals
B) without the help of animals, people wouldn’t have progressed so far
C) animals are generally better at working on farms than people are
D) people have contributed greatly to the advancement of animals