Reading passages

main style in the 14th century and the first 
Renaissance building dates from the second half 
of the 15th century. The Venetian school of 
painters was established firstly in the 15th
century. The centre of Venetian life is St. Mark's 
square which is surrounded with marble 
pavements. Round this and the adjoining 
Piazzetta are grouped buildings of great beauty 
and interest. At the eastern end of the square is 
the basilica of St Mark, a fitting cathedral for the 
patriarch of Venice. 
292- The author maintains that Venetian 
architecture ------- .
A) makes use of marble as the main material in the 
buildings 
B) is best reflected by the basilica of St Mark 
C) actually reflects two different architectural 
characteristics prior to the Renaissance 
D) has remained almost unchanged since the 
second half of the 15th century 
E) was an important source of inspiration for 
Venetian painters 

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128 
 
293- We can infer from the passage that prior to 
the 15th century Venice ---- .
A) was not influenced in any way by Gothic 
architecture 
B) could show no examples of buildings in the 
Byzantine style 
C) was already famous for its great painters and 
architects 
D) was already proud of her Renaissance buildings 
E) hardly produced any painters of importance 
 
294- It is implied in the passage that St Mark's 
square in Venice ------- .
A) was designed by the Venetian school of painters 
B) is dominated by buildings in the Gothic style 
C) stands next to the Piazzetta which 
architecturally has been neglected 
D) is both the cultural and the social centre of the 
city 
E) is surrounded by buildings which house the 
works of Titian and other great Venetian painters