Reading for the Real World 1 2nd Test Bank

Reading for the Real World 1_2nd_Test Bank

Unit 1

Strange and Unusual
Reading Set 1.1

American Superstitions

Every culture has superstitions. Some people believe them more than others. Even in our modern technological society, superstitions still hold a powerful influence. Most people seem to outgrow them. But how many people continue to believe (or at least act like they believe) these superstitions as adults?
A survey conducted for the journal American Demographics by the research firm Market Facts found some (A) [surprised / surprising] results.  In modern America, where superstitions are seen as nothing more than the beliefs of a weak mind, 44 percent of the people surveyed still admitted they were superstitious.  (B) [Another/The other] 56 percent claimed to be only “optimistically superstitious,” meaning they were more willing to believe superstitions relating to good luck over ones relating to bad luck.  And 9 percent confessed they (C) [would pick/would have picked] up a penny on the street for good luck.  A further 9 percent of non-believers also said they would pick a four-leaf clover for luck if they found one.  And some still believed in kissing under the mistletoe for luck.
Of the 44 percent of Americans who admit their superstitious beliefs, 65 percent said they were “only a little” superstitious, 27 percent were “somewhat” superstitious, and 8 percent were “very” superstitious. Among this group of believers, some ___________ appeared when the men and women were considered separately. In the survey, women comprised 60 percent of the entire superstitious group, seeming to indicate that women tend to be more superstitious than men. However, more than half (64 percent) of the “very” superstitious believers were male.
(A) __________, age also showed significant differences between the believers and non-believers. More young people admitted their superstitious nature than older people in the survey. For people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four taking the survey, 64 percent claimed to be at least a little superstitious. (B) _________ for seniors 65 and older, only 30 percent admitted to believing any superstitions.
It might be expected that people with more education would be less superstitious, but results from the survey (A) [investigated / indicated] almost equal numbers of believers between those with and without college degrees. Of those survey (B) [applicants / respondents] who never finished or only finished high school, 42 percent reported being at least a little superstitious. For those with a college education, 47 percent claimed the same level of (C) [interest/belief].
In the survey, ten common superstitions were listed for the people who responded. Of these superstitions, five were related to good luck and five to bad luck. Respondents were then asked to check the ones they believed.  Of the superstitions in the list, good-luck superstitions were more widely held.  The top superstitions related to good luck that most people followed “very much” were picking four-leaf clovers (79 percent), knocking on wood (72 percent), picking up pennies (70 percent), and crossing fingers for luck (59 percent).  Of the bad-luck superstitions, the most common belief was that breaking a mirror brought bad luck (82 percent).  Historically, superstitions begin when people try to explain mysterious circumstances that seem to have no rational explanation.  Other bad luck superstitions listed in the survey included seeing black cats, walking under ladders, seeing the bride before the wedding, and doing anything on Friday the 13th.
Many people would like to think it could not hurt to do something like knocking on wood or crossing your fingers to bring a little luck. After all, who doesn’t want a little luck?

A survey conducted for the journal American Demographics by the research firm Market Facts found some (A) [surprised / surprising] results.  In modern America, where superstitions are seen as nothing more than the beliefs of a weak mind, 44 percent of the people surveyed still admitted they were superstitious.  (B) [Another/The other] 56 percent claimed to be only “optimistically superstitious,” meaning they were more willing to believe superstitions relating to good luck over ones relating to bad luck.  And 9 percent confessed they (C) [would pick/would have picked] up a penny on the street for good luck.  A further 9 percent of non-believers also said they would pick a four-leaf clover for luck if they found one.  And some still believed in kissing under the mistletoe for luck. 1. Choose the grammatically correct ones. (A) (B) (C)  surprised Another would pick  surprising Another would pick  surprising The other would pick  surprising The other would have picked  surprised Another would have picked 2. Where is the best place to insert the sentence below? For example, 12 percent of those who said they were not really superstitious confessed to knocking on wood for good luck.     

Of the 44 percent of Americans who admit their superstitious beliefs, 65 percent said they were “only a little” superstitious, 27 percent were “somewhat” superstitious, and 8 percent were “very” superstitious. Among this group of believers, some ___________ appeared when the men and women were considered separately. In the survey, women comprised 60 percent of the entire superstitious group, seeming to indicate that women tend to be more superstitious than men. However, more than half (64 percent) of the “very” superstitious believers were male. (A) __________, age also showed significant differences between the believers and non-believers. More young people admitted their superstitious nature than older people in the survey. For people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four taking the survey, 64 percent claimed to be at least a little superstitious. (B) _________ for seniors 65 and older, only 30 percent admitted to believing any superstitions. 3. Choose the words that best complete the blank.  surprising difficulties  interesting differences  unknown factors  inconsistent results  confusing data 4. Choose the correct words for (A) and (B) (A) (B)  Conversely But  Additionally Nor  On the other hand Or  Conversely Nor  Additionally But

It might be expected that people with more education would be less superstitious, but results from the survey (A) [investigated / indicated] almost equal numbers of believers between those with and without college degrees. Of those survey (B) [applicants / respondents] who never finished or only finished high school, 42 percent reported being at least a little superstitious. For those with a college education, 47 percent claimed the same minimal level of (C) [interest/ belief]. 5. What is the purpose of the paragraph?  To give reasons why students develop superstitions at school  To refute the idea less education makes people more superstitious  To show how a college education makes people less superstitious  To explain the importance of learning about superstitions  To clarify the findings of a study on student superstitions 6. Choose the correct words for A, B and C. (A) (B) (C)  indicated respondents interest  investigated respondents interest  investigated applicants belief  indicated applicants belief  indicated respondents belief

In the survey, ten common superstitions were listed for the people who responded. Of these superstitions, five were related to good luck and five to bad luck. Respondents were then asked to check the ones they believed.  Of the superstitions in the list, good-luck superstitions were more widely held.  The top superstitions related to good luck that most people followed “very much” were picking four-leaf clovers (79 percent), knocking on wood (72 percent), picking up pennies (70 percent), and crossing fingers for luck (59 percent).  Of the bad-luck superstitions, the most common belief was that breaking a mirror brought bad luck (82 percent).  Historically, superstitions begin when people try to explain mysterious circumstances that seem to have no rational explanation.  Other bad luck superstitions listed in the survey included seeing black cats, walking under ladders, seeing the bride before the wedding, and doing anything on Friday the 13th. Many people would like to think it could not hurt to do something like knocking on wood or crossing your fingers to bring a little luck. After all, who doesn’t want a little luck? 7. Choose the sentence that does NOT belong.      8. What is true according to the paragraph?  The survey asked what the most common superstitions are.  More people believe in good luck superstitions than bad luck ones.  More respondents pick up pennies compared to those who knock on woods.  Fewer than half the respondents cross their fingers for good luck.  The most common bad luck belief was walking under a ladder.

Reading Set 1.2

Unlucky Number 13

(A) 1998 was a very bad year, especially for people who believed the number 13 is an unlucky

number. (a) In 1998, three months had a Friday that fell on the 13th of the month—February, March, and November. That is actually the most Friday the 13ths possible in a year. But where did this superstition come from?

(B) Today, superstitions about the number continue to worry people. (b) As a result, most American skyscrapers do not have a 13th floor. In addition, most airplanes lack a 13th row because few customers would buy tickets to sit there. Despite this, it seems people are reluctant to say that they believe the superstition.
(C) The origin of the number 13 being an unlucky number goes back to the time of Jesus’s death. At the last supper, Jesus gathered his twelve followers for a special meal, but including himself, there were a total of 13 people at the table. (c) One of those followers later betrayed Jesus and turned him over to be killed.
(D) Surprisingly, when asked, only 13 percent of the American population admit they believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day. The percentage is slightly higher among young people. About 30 percent of Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four say they try to generally be a little more careful on a Friday falling on the 13th. (d) Interestingly, the nine movies of the horror series Friday the 13th were all released during this age group’s formative years (1980-1993). (e) Perhaps the series has had a greater effect on people than anyone would like to admit.
1. What is the correct order of the passages that come after (A)?

 (B) (D) (C)

 (C) (B) (D)

 (C) (D) (B)

 (D) (B) (C)

 (D) (C) (B)

2. Choose the sentence that best shows the impact the superstition has on Americans.

 a

 b

 c

 d

 e

Reading Set 2.1

Bigfoot
Native American and Canadian Indian tribes have passed down stories going back thousands of years about giant ape-men living in the forests of the western United States and Canada.  They called these creatures Sasquatch, Yerin, or Mountain Devils.  The Bigfoot is usually described as being very tall, well over two meters.  It is covered in thick, dark hair and usually gives off a bad odor.  The Bigfoot’s body is usually very muscular and ape-like, yet it walks upright and has a face more similar to that of humans than of apes.  For the most part, these creatures appear not to be violent or aggressive. Bigfoot sightings are usually of lone, or single, creatures, but there have been reports of people seeing groups, or families, of Bigfoot.

People in other countries also tell stories of similar ape-men. In the Himalayas, a mountain range in Nepal, people call these creatures Yeti, or Abominable Snowmen. The Africans call them Ngoloko, and the Chinese tell stories of the Gin-Sung, or bearman.
Though sightings have been reported for centuries, is there any scientific (A) [confirmation / concession] for the existence of these creatures?  Some say yes, and others say no.  Though most Bigfoot sightings take place in the northwest, some take place in other parts of the country.  Dr. Grover Krantz, a physical Anthropologist at the University of Oregon, (B) [proves / speculates that Bigfoot may be a type of creature known as a Gigantopithecus.  A Gigantopithecus is an animal that lived in Asia over 300,000 years ago and looked like a mix between an ape and a very large man.  Dr. Krantz believes that these animals, which lived long before humans, may have migrated from Asia and decided to settle in the heavily wooded area of the Pacific Northwest. It was in this part of the continent that food was (C) [plentiful / scarce] where food was plentiful.
Is it possible that creatures like these could have survived for (A) [so / such] many years unknown to humans? Cryptozoologists compare the case of Bigfoot to that of the coelacanth. The coelacanth is a type of fish that (B) [believes / was believed] to have gone extinct over 70,000,000 years ago, but this fish has been discovered to be still living off the coast of South Africa. Cryptozoologists (C) [suggesting/suggest] that the animals that we now call Bigfoot have been able to survive by living in areas that people, until recently, have seldom gone.
There are, however, some questions that science has been unable to answer. (A)__________, why have no dead Bigfoot bodies ever been discovered? And where is the physical proof of their existence? Bigfoot researchers point out that it is unusual to find the dead remains of any animal in the forest. Most of the time, they say, other animals eat the remains soon after death; this may be the case for Bigfoot, too. Many skeptics, people who do not believe in Bigfoot, say that the video and photographs of Bigfoot are really pictures of people wearing an ape costume. (B) _________, they also believe that the Bigfoot footprints are really the footprints of a bear, or footprints made by tricksters trying to fool scientists.
It is possible that we may never know the truth about these animals. If they have avoided being seen for the last several thousand years, then maybe they will stay hidden for another several thousand. Or it may be that as we humans go deeper and deeper into the forests of Northwest America and Canada, we may finally come face to face with the elusive Bigfoot.

Native American and Canadian Indian tribes have passed down stories going back thousands of years about giant ape-men living in the forests of the western United States and Canada.  They called these creatures Sasquatch, Yerin, or Mountain Devils.  The Bigfoot is usually described as being very tall, well over two meters.  It is covered in thick, dark hair and usually gives off a bad odor.  The Bigfoot’s body is usually very muscular and ape-like, yet it walks upright and has a face more similar to that of humans than of apes.  For the most part, these creatures appear not to be violent or aggressive. Bigfoot sightings are usually of lone, or single, creatures, but there have been reports of people seeing groups, or families, of Bigfoot. 1. What is the purpose of this paragraph?  To confirm the existence of the Bigfoot  To state the characteristics of the Bigfoot  To show how the Bigfoot legend got started  To introduce anthropologists’ theories about the Bigfoot  To explain how the Bigfoot may have evolved from apes 2. Where is the best place to insert the sentence below? Regardless of the name, the descriptions of these animals are usually the same.     

Though sightings have been reported for centuries, is there any scientific (A) [confirmation / concession] for the existence of these creatures?  Some say yes, and others say no.  Though most Bigfoot sightings take place in the northwest, some take place in other parts of the country.  Dr. Grover Krantz, a physical anthropologist at the University of Oregon, (B) [proves / speculates that Bigfoot may be a type of creature known as a Gigantopithecus.  A Gigantopithecus is an animal that lived in Asia over 300,000 years ago and looked like a mix between an ape and a very large man.  Dr. Krantz believes that these animals, which lived long before humans, may have migrated from Asia and decided to settle in the heavily wooded area of the Pacific Northwest. It was in this part of the continent that food was (C) [plentiful / scarce] where food was plentiful. 3. Which sentence does not fit the flow of the passage?      4. Choose the correct words for A, B and C. (A) (B) (C)  confirmation proves plentiful  confirmation proves scarce  concession proves scarce  concession speculates scarce  confirmation speculates plentiful

Is it possible that creatures like these could have survived for (A) [so / such] many years unknown to humans? Cryptozoologists compare the case of Bigfoot to that of the coelacanth. The coelacanth is a type of fish that (B) [believes / was believed] to have gone extinct over 70,000,000 years ago, but this fish has been discovered to be still living off the coast of South Africa. Cryptozoologists (C) [suggesting/suggest] that the animals that we now call Bigfoot have been able to survive by living in areas that people, until recently, have seldom gone. 5. What is the main idea of this paragraph?  There are many creatures unknown to humans.  Animals are able to survive better in remote areas.  Some animals that were believed to be extinct still exist.  The coelacanth has been able to avoid extinction.  Many strange species have been found near South Africa 6. Choose the grammatically correct ones. (A) (B) (C)  such believes suggesting  so was believed suggesting  so was believed suggest  so believes suggest  such believes suggest

There are, however, some questions that science has been unable to answer. (A)__________, why have no dead Bigfoot bodies ever been discovered? And where is the physical proof of their existence? Bigfoot researchers point out that it is unusual to find the dead remains of any animal in the forest. Most of the time, they say, other animals eat the remains soon after death; this may be the case for Bigfoot, too. Many skeptics, people who do not believe in Bigfoot, say that the video and photographs of Bigfoot are really pictures of people wearing an ape costume. (B) _________, they also believe that the Bigfoot footprints are really the footprints of a bear, or footprints made by tricksters trying to fool scientists. 7. What is NOT true according to the paragraph?  Bodies of dead Bigfoot have not been discovered by anyone.  No one has been able to find physical proof Bigfoot exists for real.  People who do not believe in Bigfoot say the photos and videos are hoaxes.  Researchers believe Bigfoot footprints look similar to bear footprints.  Some people try to trick scientists into believing Bigfoot is real. 8. Choose the correct words for (A) and (B) (A) (B)  For example In contrast  Ideally In addition  To demonstrate On the other hand  For example In addition  To demonstrate On the other hand

Reading Set 2.2

The Death of Bigfoot

Is Bigfoot dead? The answer is “yes” according to the family of Ray L. Wallace, who died November 26th, 2002 in Seattle, Washington. After the death of his father, Michael Wallace told a story that surprised many people who have been trying to solve the Bigfoot mystery. He claimed that his father thought of the idea of a Bigfoot creature; though he did not make the name, Bigfoot, he developed it as a practical joke to make money. According to Michael, Ray Wallace asked a friend to make a pair of 16-inch (40 cm) footprints out of wood. He then used these footprints for making fake Bigfoot tracks around the woods near his house. Mr. Wallace would use these footprints to support stories about Bigfoot that he would tell to newspapers. Some of these stories were quite strange.
He once told a newspaper reporter, “Bigfooted creatures are people, they speak a language.” Mr. Wallace then used these stories to make money. He made tape recordings of strange sounds that he said were “Bigfoot conversations” and sold the tapes to tourists along with Bigfoot photos, posters, and pieces of animal hair that he said came from Bigfoot.
Though his family claims that Bigfoot died with Ray Wallace, others are not so sure. Scientist Jeff Meldrum, a professor at Idaho State University, does not believe that Bigfoot was imaginary. Professor Meldrum claims to have copies of over forty footprints that he says belong to a very large, unknown creature, which he believes is Bigfoot.

1. What is the best title for this passage?

 A Reporter Uncovers a Hoax

 The Man Who was Bigfoot

 Speech Patterns of Bigfoot

 Professor Claims Bigfoot is Real

 Investigating the Legend of Bigfoot
2. Choose the best words that complete the summary of the passage.

Ray Wallace used ___________ to make people think Bigfoot really existed; however, there are still people who are ______________ that Bigfoot is real.

(A) (B)

 clever tricks truly convinced

 real evidence absolutely certain

 official reports truly convinced

 wild stories somewhat skeptical

 expensive props absolutely certain