Reading for the Real World 2 Second Edition – Test Bank

Guess What
(A) A controversial advertisement for a home-furnishing mall in Nanjing, China, is printed with huge Chinese characters that say, “What will you think of after you are well-fed and well-dressed?” These words are followed by “Guess ...” in smaller characters. The answer is given in even smaller characters: “It is home furnishings.” While this looks innocent enough to people unfamiliar with Chinese culture, for Chinese people, the advertisement has a clear sexual meaning. There is a well-known Chinese saying: “After being well-fed and clothed, one thinks of sexual pleasure.”
(B) Officials didn’t see a problem either. One official from Nanjing Administration for Industry and Commerce merely stated, “We have approved this billboard. When we decide whether an advertisement is acceptable or not, we mainly see whether there is any obvious word related to pornography and immoral deeds and thoughts, or any word that tries to exaggerate the advertiser and debase competitors. We cannot do anything about this kind of advertisement.”
(C) However, the head of the advertising company that designed the billboard saw nothing to censor in the ad, noting that it had been approved by relevant authorities and deemed absolutely legal. “In modern times, the ancient saying should be interpreted in more innovative ways,” he said. “After being well-fed and clothed, I think we have a lot more to think about than sex. For instance, we can buy houses or go traveling. It is quite logical for us to say that after being well-fed and clothed, one thinks of furnishing houses.”
(D) Critics of the ad argued that the billboard is immoral in that it might “stimulate people’s lust,” and because the implied meaning would be clear to anyone reading the ad, many called for its immediate removal.
1. Which of the following could also be the title of the passage?

 The Evils of Censorship

 Controversy in Advertising

 Immorality in Television Ads

 How Humor Aids Advertising

 Do People Look at Billboards Anymore?

2. What is the correct order of the paragraphs after (A)?

 (B) (D) (C)

 (C) (B) (D)

 (C) (D) (C)

 (D) (B) (C)

 (D) (C) (B)