Passage 4

Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage:

Successful innovations have driven many older technologies to extinction and have resulted in higher productivity, greater consumption of energy, increased demand of raw materials, accelerated flow of materials through the economy and increased quantities of metals and other substances in use each person. The history of industrial development abounds with examples.

In 1870, horses and mules were the prime source of power on U.S. farms. One horse or mule was required to support four human beings a ratio that remained almost constant for many decades. At that time, had a national commission been asked to forecast the population for 1970, its answer probably would have depended on whether its consultants were of an economic or technological turn of mind. Had they been “economists”, they would probably have projected the 1970 horses or mule population to be more than 50 million. Had they been “technologists”, they would have recognized that the power of steam had already been harnessed to industry and to learn and ocean transport. They would have recognized further that it would be the prime source of power on the farm. It would have been difficult for them to avoid the conclusion that the horse and mule population would decline rapidly.

16. According to the passage, what supplied most of the power on U.S. farms in 1870?

A. Animals B. Humans C. Engines D. Water

17. Which of the following is NOT mentioned by the author as a consequence of new technological developments?

A. Older technologies die away. 

B. The quality of life is Improved.

C. Overall productivity increase. 

D. More raw materials become necessary.

18. It can be inferred from the passage that by 1870 .

A. technology began to be more economical

B. the steam engine had been invented

C. the U.S. horse population was about 10 million

D. a national commission was about 10 million

19. In the second paragraph, the author suggests that “economists” would .

A. plan the economy through yearly forecasts

B. fail to consider the influence of technological innovation

C. value the economic contribution of farm animals

D. consult the national commission on the economy

20. What is the author’s attitude toward changes brought on by technological innovations?

A. He is excited about them. 

B. He accept them as natural.

C. He is disturbed by them. 

D. He questions their usefulness.

Milk,butter,and cheese are ____ here from the farms.

This mountain range has many high _____ and fertile valleys.

Passage 4

Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage:

I recently wrote an autobiography in which I recalled many old memories. One of them was from my school days, when our ninth grade teacher, Miss Raber, would pick out words from the Reader’s Digest to test our vocabulary.

Today, more than 45 years later, I always check out “It pays to Enrich Your Word Power” first when the Digest comes each month. I am impressed with that idea, word power. Reader’s Digest knows the power that words have to move people—to entertain, inform, and inspire. The Digest editors know that the big word isn’t always the best word. Take just one example, a Quotable Quote form the February 1985 issue: ”Time is a playful thing. It slips quickly and drinks the day like a bowl of milk.”

Nineteen words, only two of them more than one syllable, yet how much they convey! That’s usually how it is with Reader’s Digest. Small and simple can be profound.

As chairman of a foundation to restore the Statue of Liberty, I’ve been making a lot of speeches lately. I try to keep them fairly short. I use small but vivid words: words like “hope”, “guts”, “faith”, “dreams”. Those are words that move people and say so much about the spirit of America.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against using big words, when it is right to do so, but I have also learned that a small word can work a small miracle—if it’s right word, in the right place, at the right time. It’s a “secret” that I hope never forget.

16. The passage is mainly about .

A. one of the many old memories

B. using simple words to express profound ideas

C. Reader’s Digest and school speeches

D. how to make effective speeches

17. It seems that Reader’s Digest is a magazine popular with .

A. people of all ages B. teenagers C. school teachers D. elderly readers

18. The example the author gives in the second paragraph might mean .

A. one spends his day playing and drinking

B. don’t waste your time as one does

C. time slips easily if you don’t make good use of it

D. time is just like drinking milk from a bowl

19. The author’s “secret” is .

A. to avoid using big words at any time

B. to use words that have the power to move people

C. to work a miracle by using a small word

D. to use small and simple words where possible

20. Accoeding to the author, well-chosen words can give people .

A. hope, courage and ideas

B. confidence, determination and strength

C. pleasure, knowledge and encourage

D. entertainment, information and power

Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage:

IneverrealizedthatsomedayIwouldbemarriedtoa___.