English reading passages (for dtm test takers)

18. According to the passage, the word “ There” in the text refers to ... .
A) Silchar B) Calcutta
C) Persia D) Britain


Read the text and answer the questions according to it.

The house cat has lived with people for at least 3,500 years. The ancient Egyptians used cats

to keep mice and rats away from grain and other food. It is possible that humans kept them as pets even before that, because scientists found the 8000-year-old bones of people and cats together in a grave in Northern Cyprus. The typical cat sleeps for about 14 hours a day, and some sleep even 20 hours. As well, when cats jump or fall around in the air their feet point towards the ground. That is probably one reason why people say that cats have “ nine lives”. House cats also point their ears in different directions. If a cat is walking one way, it can point its ears backwards to a noise coming from behind. A domestic cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than a human’s. In addition, the house cat can feel things with its whiskers when a cat is moving at night. Nowadays, however, people don’t usually keep house cats for their hunting ability.


19. When was the first polo club founded in England?
A) in 1862 B) in 1872
C) 150 years ago D) 2,000 years ago
20. How was polo spread all around the world?
A) on horseback
B) by British travelers
C) by polo teams
D) by the Calcutta Club
21. According to the passage, it is probable that cats have been pets for ... .
A) less than 3,500 years
B) 3,500 years
C) more than 8,500 years
D) 8,000years
22. According to the passage, people say cats have nine lives because ....
A) they usually land on their feet on the ground
B) they sleep for 14 hours or even 20 hours a day
C) they can point their ears in different directions
D) they can hear noises from behind them
23 . According to the passage, all of the statements are TRUE, EXCEPT ....
A) A house cat has a stronger sense of smell than a human
B) A house cat is kept for its hunting ability nowadays
C) A house cat can hear a noise coming from behind
D) A cat’s whiskers can help to feel objects in the dark