Reading for the Real World 2 Second Edition – Test Bank

Worthy of Recognition?
Creating the largest popcorn sculpture, completing 27,000 jumping jacks in five hours, skipping the fastest five kilometers while holding a tiger’s leash, as well as eighty-six other astounding feats, are held by one man in the Guinness Book of World Records. (a) Ashrita Furman is a former economics major who dropped out of Columbia University, yet he has still made somewhat of a name for himself.
(b) Furman, wanting to enhance and pursue his spiritual life, changed his name from Keith to Ashrita. He uses meditation and his pursuit to surpass human limitations to bring attention to him in unique ways. At the age of fifty-four, Furman continues to break thirty-five to forty records a year in an attempt to challenge his own limits. (c) He holds records for activities ranging from tearing the most shirts in a minute to completing the fastest mile on a pogo stick in Antarctica.
Why does Ashrita Furman attempt to break so many records? (d) While these feats for which Furman holds records are fascinating and amazing, are they really worth the funds needed to carry them out?
While there are those who enjoy the thrill of competition and strive to be unique in their pursuit of fame, is the publicity necessary when the cost of the record-breaking attempts can be so high? Injuries, financial obligations, and the risk of failure can be devastating. (e) On the other hand, an average person can be fascinated by the courage, skill, and sometimes oddity of world-record breakers.
1. What is true of Furman, according to the passage?

 He changed his name from Ashrita to Keith.

 He breaks thirty-five to forty records every year.

 He holds eight-six records in the Guinness Book.

 He began setting records after graduating from college.

 He has the record for tearing the most shirts in Antarctica.

2. Choose the sentence that best shows doubt about the value or usefulness of Furman’s actions.

 (a)

 (b)

 (c)

 (d)

 (e)