Variant 1 You could have come first and won the race if you … faster

19. The author’s purpose is to ...
A) discuss the use of salt as a pesticide. B) describe the harm of salt for flora.
C) enumerate the myriad uses of salt. D) explain the etymology of the word “salt.”
20. What does the word VENTURE in bold mean?
A) to risk B) to attract C) to approach D) to crawl
21. Which sentence is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A) Salt intensifies the ache in your body. B) Salt allows food bright appearance.
C) Salt is a significant nourishment for animals. D) Salt is a helpful substance in household.
22. According to the passage if you want to verify worthiness of an egg you ...
A) can bring it to boil. B) can put on the windowsills.
C) can crack it immediately. D) can put it into saline water.


The most interesting aspect of the strangler fig is that it grows from the sky down to the ground. Birds are a major factor in the birth of new fig trees, interesting the fruit and later dropping the seed contained in them. Most seeds that are dropped to the ground do nothing, but those that drop into a moist mulch of decayed leaves and mosses that have collected in branches of trees have a chance of survival. They are more likely to receive some sunlight than those that drop all the way to the ground. After the seeds of the fig trees germinate high in the canopy, their roots descend to form a menacing vice around the trees that support them. Eventually the host tree may begin to die, but it may take many years. Some types of fig trees put down roots so thick that they completely surround the host. In that case, all that is left is a moss-covered scaffold of fig roots.
23. What is the main reason that the fig tree seeds survive?
A) Seeds dropped to the branches take more sunlight. B) Seeds dropped to the ground are eaten by the animals.
C) Seeds dropped to the ground take more moisture. D) Seeds dropped to the ground take more sunlight.