Reading Test 47

 

            In taking up a new life across the Atlantic, the early European settlers of the United

            States did not abandon the diversions with which their ancestors had traditionally

            relieved the tedium of life. Neither the harshness of existence on the new continent nor

 Line     the scattered population nor the disapproval of the clergy discouraged the majority

 (5)       from the pursuit of pleasure.

                 City and country dwellers, of course, conducted this pursuit in different ways. Farm

            dwellers in their isolation not only found it harder to locate companions in play but

            also, thanks to the unending demands and pressures of their work, felt it necessary to

            combine fun with purpose. No other set of colonists took so seriously one expression of

 (10)      the period, "Leasure is time for doing something useful." In the countryside farmers

            therefore relieved the burden of the daily routine with such double-purpose relaxations

            as hunting, fishing, and trapping. When a neighbor needed help, families rallied from

            miles around to assist in building a house or barn, husking corn, shearing sheep, or

            chopping wood. Food, drink, and celebration after the group work provided relaxation

 (15)      and soothed weary muscles.

                 The most eagerly anticipated social events were the rural fairs. Hundreds of men,

            women, and children attended from far and near. The men bought or traded farm

            animals and acquired needed merchandise while the women displayed food prepared in

            their kitchens, and everyone, including the youngsters, watched or participated in a

 (20)      variety of competitive sports, with prizes awarded to the winners. These events

            typically included horse races, wrestling matches, and foot races, as well as some

            nonathletic events such as whistling competitions. No other occasions did so much to

            relieve the isolation of farm existence.

                 With the open countryside everywhere at hand, city dwellers naturally shard in

 (25)      some of the rural diversions. Favored recreations included fishing, hunting, skating,

            and swimming. But city dwellers also developed other pleasures, which only compact

            communities made possible.

 

Questions

 

 

 

            42. What is the passage mainly about ?

               (A) Methods of farming used by early settlers of the United States

               (B) Hardships faced by the early settlers of the United States

               (C) Methods of buying, selling, and trading used by early settlers of

                   the United States

               (D) Ways in which early settlers of the United States relaxed

 

            43. What can be inferred about the diversions of the early settlers of

              the United States ?

               (A) They followed a pattern begun in Europe.

               (B) They were enjoyed more frequently than in Europe.

               (C) The clergy organized them.

               (D) Only the wealthy participated in them.

 

            44. Which of the following can be said about the county dwellers' attitude

                toward "the pursuit of pleasure" ?

               (A) They felt that it should help keep their minds on their work.

               (B) They felt that it was not necessary.

               (C) They felt that it should be productive.

               (D) They felt that it should not involve eating and drinking.

 

 

            45. The phrase thanks to" in line 8 is closest in meaning to

               (A) grateful for

               (B) help with

               (C) because of

               (D) machines for

 

            46. The word "their" in line 8 refers to

               (A) ways

               (B) farm dwellers

               (C) demands

               (D) pressures

 

            47. What is meant by the phrase "double-purpose" in line 11 ?

               (A) Very frequent

               (B) Useful and enjoyable

               (C) Extremely necessary

               (D) Positive and negative

 

            48. The phrase "eagerly anticipated" in line 16 in closest in meaning to

               (A) well organized

               (B) old-fashioned

               (C) strongly opposed

               (D) looked forward to

 

            49. Which of the following can be said about the rural diversions mentioned

                in the last paragraph in which city dwellers also participated ?

               (A) They were useful to the rural community.

               (B) They involved the purchase of items useful in the home.

               (C) They were activities that could be done equally easily in the towns.

               (D) They were all outdoor activities.

 

            50. What will the author probably discuss in the paragraph following this passage ?

               (A) The rural diversions enjoyed by both urban and rural people

               (B) Leisure activities of city dwellers

               (C) Building methods of the early settlers in rural areas

               (D) Changes in the lifestyles of settlers as they moved to the cities  

 

 

Please tally your answer with the below provided answers and then comment here how much you got!

 

 

Answers

  42. D    43. A     44. C     45. C     46. B     47. B    48. D    49. C    50. B