Reading Smart I: Test 14

 Part I. Grammar＆Vocabulary (40％)

(   ) 1. Some people do not like seaweed because they find its taste and _____ very strange.

(A) venture               (B) texture                 (C) posture               (D) departure

(   ) 2. The boy had a _____ for ice cream, so he went to a convenience store and got himself some.

(A) craving               (B) blessing               (C) greeting              (D) dwelling

(   ) 3. After all the media attention we got, our project to stop puppy and kitten mills _____ a whole new scale.

(A) looked upon       (B) came in               (C) stood for             (D) took on

(   ) 4. Internet crazes that have _____ in the past few years include planking, owling, and human flagging.

(A) caught on           (B) broken down       (C) dropped by         (D) pulled over

(   ) 5. Photographs of all the places Becky has been in her travels _____ the walls of her house.

(A) flush                   (B) adorn                  (C) unfold                (D) clutch

(   ) 6. New _____ areas are being developed on the west side of town due to a housing shortage.

(A) residential           (B) monumental        (C) vocational           (D) economical

(   ) 7. James is a computer nut and gets a lot of _____ from modifying and upgrading his motherboard.

(A) proficiency         (B) compromise        (C) satisfaction         (D) enforcement

(   ) 8. The mudslides _____ by the devastating typhoon swept away entire villages.

(A) triggered             (B) irritated               (C) despised             (D) clarified

(   ) 9. Larry tends to oversleep, so it's no wonder he is _____ late for work.

(A) meanwhile          (B) oftentimes           (C) beforehand         (D) somewhat

(   ) 10. Business started _____ soon after our shop appeared in a video that went viral.

(A) taking out           (B) taking in              (C) taking over        (D) taking off

 

Part II. Fill-in-the-Blank (40%)

(A) creation        (B) issue             (C) detriment             (D) decorations          (E) associated

(F) dyes              (G) ballad           (H) ingredients          (I) obesity                  (J) tavern

(   ) 11. Sam read the list of _____ to see if the product contained any artificial sweeteners.

(   ) 12. The _____ of a new emergency fund for employees was well received by everyone at the firm.

(   ) 13. My colleagues and I often go to a local _____ for drinks and to unwind after work.

(   ) 14. The _____ of cloning has aroused a great deal of public interest as well as controversy.

(   ) 15. As soon as he heard the first few notes, Louis knew it was his favorite _____ playing on the radio.

(   ) 16. Oil companies held back supplies of fuel, to the _____ of the world economy.

(   ) 17. Matthew helped me put up the balloons and other _____ for Angela's birthday party.

(   ) 18. The increased consumption of fast food has greatly contributed to the nation's _____ problem.

(   ) 19. Many of the symptoms _____ with the disease are similar to those of a common cold.

(   ) 20. The plain white cloth was tied and soaked in a series of _____ to produce a rainbow effect.

 

Part III. Reading Comprehension (20%)

The Irish have a special place in their hearts for St. Patrick. Bringing Christianity to their shores, he spread the word of God with the help of a simple, little plant. The three-leafed clover, or shamrock, represents the Holy Trinity, with each leaf symbolizing each of the three holy beings making up God.

The Irish that had settled in the US took their love and respect for St. Patrick even further by establishing a day of celebration. On March 17th every year, people of Irish descent decorate schools, businesses, and homes with shamrocks, Irish harps, and leprechauns. What's more, they don green clothes as a way to show pride in their culture and heritage. Soon, the popularity of St. Patrick's Day spread, and the festival spread throughout the world.

Now, in addition to the green outfits and adornments, festival-goers take part in parades, sing Irish songs, and even drink green beer. The city of Chicago never fails to show its colors, for each year it transforms the Chicago River running through the heart of the city into a bright green waterway with the addition of a special coloring agent. St. Patrick’s Day is a great and fun time to be had by all, and it's the one day of the year when everyone can be Irish.

(   ) 21. Which of the following isn't a decoration seen on St. Patrick's Day?

(A) Clovers                                 (B) Irish rocks

(C) Leprechauns                         (D) The Chicago River dyed green

(   ) 22. How is St. Patrick's Day celebrated in modern times?

(A) With green drinks and green clothes

(B) Through the singing of Catholic songs

(C) By toasting to the health of leprechauns

(D) By throwing shamrocks into the Chicago River

(   ) 23. What is true of St. Patrick's Day?

(A) It got its start in the hills of Ireland.

(B) It takes place once every 17 years.

(C) It is only celebrated by Irish Catholics.

(D) It was created by Irish immigrants in the US.

(   ) 24. Why is the shamrock mentioned in the article?

(A) It's a plant commonly used in Irish cuisine.

(B) It's the main ingredient used to make green beer.

(C) It's a symbol of what the Irish are taught to believe.

(D) It's worn on every day of the year but St. Patrick's Day.