Reading passages

235 -The passage tells us that the shrew --- .
A) has a very short life span 
B) is similar to a mouse in appearance 
C) lives in dense forests 
D) makes an exceptionally good pet 
E) is in the habit of eating every two hours 
236 -The passage states that shrews ---- .
A) are found in huge numbers in Australia 
B) are the smallest living mammals 
C) eat each other when they can't find any food 
D) feed on the blood of other mammals 
E) eat rarely but in large amounts at a time 
237 -From what is stated in the passage, we can 
infer that a shrewish woman is someone who --- .
A) has tiny eyes and ears 
B) is very fond of velvet and fur 
C) keeps shrews as pets 
D) easily gets annoyed 
E) is noticeably smaller than the average 
Over the past 30 years, children's consumption in 
Britain has increased dramatically. In the average 
family of two parents and two children, spending on 
toys and children's clothing has more than tripled, 
and spending on sweets, ice -cream and soft drinks 

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has risen by one -third. Research has recently found 
that spending is around £3,000 per child per year. 
The growth in spending reflects higher living 
standards, but it has been boosted by the efforts of 
the advertising industry. Campaigns directed straight 
at children account for much advertising expenditure. 
Most children in Britain over eight now have a 
television in the bedroom; on average, they watch 
900 hours of TV a year, which is more than the 750 
hours the average child is actually being taught in 
school. Thus a child could see at least 10,000 
commercials a year. 
238 -The average family 30 years ago --- .
A) bought more children's clothes and books and 
less ice -cream and candy 
B) watched more TV commercials than today 
C) had a higher living standard than today 
D) didn't have a television set 
E) spent far less on children's products