Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

3. The average child is exceedingly curious. He

1. However much we may complain about the number investigates everything within reach; from electric
of advertisements there are in a newspaper, the fact plugs to piles of earth. His favorite word is "why". The
remains that without advertisements there would be adult finds this period exhausting but he should not
no newspapers. It's the advertisements that finance try to check the activities, unless they are dangerous,
the newspapers and make it possible for us to buy as the child is establishing the habit of learning.
them cheaply.
A) Curiosity in children should be encouraged as it
A) The larger the circulation of a newspaper is, the creates a learning habit.
greater is its need for good advertisements. B) Children are often extremely curious but this is an
B) Newspapers print so many advertisements that unimportant stage and ends soon.
there is not much space left for the real news. C) Curiosity in children should not be encouraged as
C) Nowadays all newspapers spend a great deal of it is responsible for very many accidents.
money on advertising. D) His curiosity leads a child to investigate a lot of
D) It is generally agreed that it is profitable for large unimportant things.
companies to advertise regularly in the newspapers. E) Children who lack curiosity will not grow up any
E) Advertisements are essential to newspapers, different from those who are extremely curious.
without them they could not be produced
economically.

4. Janet was very enthusiastic about the concert. She

praised the pianist, the singer and the choice of
Brian and Gordon are brothers. People meeting them program; but it was the violin concerto that she
2.
for the first time usually think Gordon is much the praised most of all.
nicest. He's good looking, he's friendly and talks well.
Later, they begin to notice he is rather spoilt. Then, A) Janet went to the concert because she wanted to
they realize what a good person Brian is. hear the violin concerto.
B) The piano is Jane's favorite instrument, although
A) Gordon and his brother are both very attractive
she is fond of violin concertos.
people.
C) Jane thought the concert was wonderful and
B) I have always preferred Brian to his brother
especially the violin concerto.
Gordon.
D) Except for the violin concerto, Jane didn't really
C) Brian has clearly spoiled his brother Gordon.
enjoy the concert.
D) Gordon makes a good first impression but his
E) Not much of Jane's favorite music was included in
brother is a much better person.
the program.
E) Brian and Gordon are very different from each
other; it is hard to believe they are brothers.

5. Everyone I've talked to recently admits that Mr.

Burton was not a very good manager. Now that Mr.
Carr is in charge of the company, most people are
expecting things to improve; he really is a natural
leader, and liked and respected by everyone.

A) It is generally agreed that Mr. Carr will manage the

company much better than Mr. Burton did.
B) Mr. Carr didn't like the way Mr. Burton managed
the company.
C) Mr. Burton was not popular, but under his
management everything ran smoothly.
D) Mr. Carr may be a good manager but nobody
wanted Mr. Burton to leave.
E) Most people think Mr. Carr will introduce few
changes

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

9. Leroy walked slowly round the exhibition, looking at

the pictures. None of them seemed very interesting.
He felt very disappointed. Then suddenly he saw the
6. Most people don't realize that Paul and Mark are portrait of an old man. He stopped in front of it, and
brothers. Paul is tall and fair, and interested in all looked at it for a long time. It was a wonderful
types of sport. Mark, who is short and dark haired, is portrait.
studying Math at the university. Math is his only
hobby too. A) While looking at the pictures at the exhibition,
Leroy met an interesting old man.
A) Brothers don't often have much in common.
B) Leroy was delighted with the exhibition, especially
B) Though brothers, Paul and Mark are very different
with some of the portraits.
in appearance and in interests.
C) Except for one portrait, Leroy thought the
C) Paul isn't nearly as clever as his brother Mark.
exhibition was very poor.
D) Paul wishes his brother were a better sportsman.
D) Leroy is very interested in paintings, especially in
E) Paul and Mark are brothers but they disagree on
portraits of old people.
various matters
E) At the exhibition Leroy was disappointed to find
that almost all the portraits were of old people.

7. Patrick didn't even ask his father if he could go to

Barcelona for the weekend with Erick. He knew it
would cost too much. But he didn't want to mention it 10. Whenever I need something, the first place I go to is
to Erick. So, next day, he said simply "Father won't let Dawson's store. There they sell just about everything.
me." You can buy clothes there, things for the house and
for the garden, and also sports equipment; They
A) Patrick didn't want Erick to know that he was stock a wide variety of goods. Everything is a good
going to spend the weekend in Barcelona. quality, and prices are reasonable.
B) Patrick's father didn't want Patrick to go to A) Most people can't afford to go to Dawson's.
Barcelona with Erick. B) You can't find everything you need in Dawson's.
C) Erick asked his father if he could take Patrick to C) In my opinion, Dawson's is an excellent store and
Barcelona for the weekend. not too expensive.
D) Patrick went to Barcelona for the weekend without D) Dawson's is famous for its goods but prices are
asking his father if he could. high.
E) Patrick didn't want Erick to know that he couldn't E) The rich and the famous all shop at Dawson's.
afford to go to Barcelona for the weekend.

11. People who have never been in an aero plane usually

8. John is only 16 years old. Everyone else on the team think that flying must be fun. Perhaps it is, the first
is either 17 or 18. Even so, he's a much valued time you fly. But few people who have flown a lot
member of the team. In fact, some people think he's really enjoy flying. Most of the time you are in the air,
the best player the team has. there is nothing to see but clouds, and waiting
around in an airport is the most boring experience.
A) When John is 17 or 1 8 he will probably be the
best player on the team. A) Flying is not as interesting as people who haven't
B) John joined the team when he was 16 but most flown think.
people are at least 17 years old. B) A lot of people won't fly because they think it is
C) John is the youngest member of the team and also dangerous.
one of the best players. C) Airports are very boring places.
D) John is one of the best players the team has had D) Traveling by air is one of the least popular ways of
for 17 or 18 years. traveling.
E) The 17 and 18 year olds on the team are not E) Everybody likes flying, and shopping at airports is
valued enough. great fun.

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

12. During recent years, there has been a great increase 15. I don't know any French myself, and so I don't know
in population. As a result of this, many countries are whether Jane's French is good or not. But I do know
facing serious difficulties. These include food that she has spent the last two years in France. She
shortages, housing problems, unemployment, was in Paris for 18 months and the remaining 6
pollution and similar social and economic difficulties. months she spent at various places along the south
coast. So she should know French well.
A) Some countries have more social and economic
problems than others. A) Jane has spent two whole years in France, partly in
B) The rapid growth in population has caused very Paris, partly on the south coast.
many problems. B) Jane's French ought to be good as she has recently
C) The increase in population has been to the benefit spent two years in France.
of some countries. C) If I had spent two years in France like Jane, I would
D) Rich countries should help poor countries. have learned French well.
E) Economic problems are not related to the increase D) Jane's French is now very good indeed.
in population E) Jane thoroughly enjoyed the two years she spent
in France, but I don't think her French is better than
mine.

13. Paul is pleased that his company is sending him to

the new factory near Houston. The pay will be better
and the work more interesting. Also, several of his
16. If Jane is willing to organize the picnic I should let her.
friends live there and he likes the climate. The last picnic she organized was a great success.
Just now, too, she has plenty of spare time, which
A) Paul's company has many reasons for opening a most of us don't have. I don't think we'll find anyone
new factory in Houston. as good as her.
B) Paul is happy to be going to Houston for various
A) Jane always likes to do unusual things.
reasons.
B) Everybody can organize a picnic as efficiently as
C) Paul is looking forward to making new friends in
Jane can.
Houston.
C) Most of us don't want Jane to organize the picnic.
D) It is not easy to find interesting, well-paid work in
D) Jane has so much free time that she wants to
Houston.
organize a picnic.
E) Paul has never had such a good job as his present
E) Jane seems to be the best person to organize the
one in Houston
picnic.

14. Susan arrived at the library a few minutes before 12

o'clock. Jane had her coat on and was, waiting for her 17. I know all the arguments about how important it is to
friend on the steps of the library. So they left advertise. I admit that the costs of advertising are
together, crossed the street and went to their quickly recovered in better sales. Yet I still think
favorite restaurant. advertising is harmful because of the bad effect it
has on children.
A) Susan and Jane both work in the same library and
A) Advertising helps sales, but children are badly
always have lunch together.
affected by it.
B) Jane was surprised to see Susan at the library and
B) I am in favor of advertisements because children
invited her to lunch.
are fond of them.
C) Susan and Jane met at the library as arranged and
C) It is important to advertise although children hate
then had lunch together.
advertisements.
D) Jane and Susan have lunch together once a week.
D) A lot of people argue about whether advertising
E) Jane put on her coat while she was waiting for her
really helps sales
friend.
E) Many people argue that advertisements are useful
for children.

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

18. The story "Robinson Crusoe" was written by Daniel 20. Many people complain a great deal about the bad
Defoe. This novel was based on the story of a real influences of television on the young. However, these
sailor who had been abandoned on a small island. are the same parents that don't seem to realize that
Although the sailor, Alexander Selkirk's adventures what their children watch should be decided by them.
are not the same as those of Robinson Crusoe there It is the parents who are responsible to turn the
are some notable similarities. program off if it isn't appropriate for their children.

A) Daniel Defoe wrote the story of Alexander Selkirk A) It would be better if people complained less about
but called it "Robinson Crusoe." what their children watched on television.
B) The abandoned sailor Alexander Selkirk was a B) Television programs are more valuable than most
typical colonialist. parents wish to believe.
C) The story: "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe is a C) Parents tend to allow their children to watch too
fictional account of the experiences of Alexander much television and then complain about it.
Selkirk. D) Many parents make decisions about what is
D) Daniel Defoe wrote the story of the life of appropriate for their children and what is not.
Alexander Selkirk and named it "Robinson Crusoe." E) Parents should take the initiative to prevent their
E) Being abandoned on a small island with a sailor children from watching what they feel is not
named Alexander Selkirk gave Daniel Defoe the idea appropriate for them.
to write the story "Robinson Crusoe."

21. The future is something that many people, especially

young ones, worry about. Our elders tell us that
19. Jane had had a terrible dream that night. She had
dreamed that she was in a haunted house. The house making correct decisions about our futures is very
was large and dark. It had broken stairs and windows. important and making a mistake can ruin us forever.
As she went through the house, she heard terrible However, when one looks at the records, those
noises and then she saw a white mist which turned people who have taken chances and tried to do
into a strange animal, in front of her. She screamed things their own way, tend to make out much better
and then woke to find that she was safe in her own than those who do things the way the system
home. expects.

A) Jane's dream frightened her into screaming all A) Making decisions about the future should be the
night right of the person who will be living that life.
B) The house that Jane was in was old and B) Taking risks is not considered to be the correct
frightening but she went to sleep anyway. way of planning ones future and could cause failure.
C) The noises that she heard that night were made C) Parents tell their children to plan their futures as
by a wild animal that had come in to get away from the social and cultural rules advice.
the fog D) Decisions that people make may at times seem
D) Jane was very frightened by the nightmare she incorrect but most of the time the results are good.
had the other night in which she visited an old E) Although it is generally felt that people shouldn't
abandoned house and saw a ghost. take risks, many people who do have proved that
E) Jane was afraid of the dark so her imagination being different is not always wrong
played tricks on her that night and she thought she
had seen a ghost.

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

22. Although we didn't know who she was or where she 24. There are many different reasons why a poet writes
had come from it was easy to guess that she had poetry. I would suppose that some write poems for
some type of royal blood in her veins. The English themselves and to please their own senses. Others
she spoke was so carefully precise that she couldn't however, write to share thoughts, or rather feelings
possibly be a native speaker. Her graceful with others. Most poems are meant to appeal to the
movements and confident gestures indicated power heart and senses rather than to the mind and reason.
and control. All in all, the appearance she presented
was very impressive. A) Poets usually write poems to share their thoughts
with other people.
A) We were not able to learn anything about this
B) Poets write poems for themselves and for others.
woman.
C) Poems are not written for the mind they are
B) This woman was of rich and royal heritage.
written for the heart.
C) This woman made us think that she was wealthy.
D) Poets are sentimental people who have to show
D) This unknown woman had a manner that
their emotions with their writing.
impressed those who met her
E) Among the different reasons for writing poetry, the
E) This woman was not brought up in our country.
need to express emotions is probably the strongest
motive for most poets.

23. From the very first, man has wondered if there was
life on worlds other than our own. The mind of man
has wandered to many light years away: to other 25. The art form which is best known under the name of
planets and solar systems. Today man is still asking Impressionism evolved in France with the Realist
this question, but he seeks the answer in science and movement of the mid to late 1800's. Although this
technology instead of religion ad magic. style only lasted for about 15 years in a pure form, it
has influenced the style of art that has come after it
A) Man has always asked himself about life on other till today. The motivating thought in this style of art
planets. comes from the idea that "Nothing is seen without
light."
B) Since the beginning of man's history the question
of whether there is life on other planets has been A) Impressionism is an art form which is still
asked, but today new ways of answering this presently used today.
question are available. B) The Impressionism style of art which started in
C) Today scientists are the people that are asking if France in the late 1800's and still has a strong effect
man might be able to live on other planets in other on artists today, gives importance to light.
solar systems. C) The artists of the 1800's decided that light was
D) We have and will always wonder about the very important in their work and thus created a new
possibility of life on other planets. style of painting called Impressionism.
E) The answer to the question of whether there is life D) The art style called Impressionism was around for
on other planets or not could not be answered in the about 15 yearsThe artists of the 1800's decided that
past, but will probably be answered by the scientists light was very important in their work and thus
of today. created a new style of painting called Impressionism.
in France during the 1800's and used light for the first
time in its paintings.
E) The various uses of lights played an important role
in the development of the form of painting called
Impressionism.

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

26. War is one of the most terrible parts of human 27. Our world seems to be changing too fast to keep up
history. Death, destruction and pain, both physical with. In my youth, life was much more simple. Our
and emotional are the primary results of war. Still parents worried about feeding and educating us. We
man seems to be incapable of doing without it. worried about simple things life school and friends.
Today however, children have become selfish and
A) As bad as it is, man likes to make war. materialistic.
B) People have no gain from war but are unable to
A) Life changes people as they grow.
stop it.
B) Everyone changes with time.
C) The death and misery that war produces is not
C) The world makes people selfish as they grow
enough to stop man from fighting.
older.
D) No one wants to fight a war.
D) Children are, brought up differently these days.
E) Even though fighting is useless people will not
E) Time has changed the needs and attitudes of
stop
people.

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 Paragraph Summarizing Test 3

Answer Key:

1: E 15: B
2: D 16: B
3: A 17: A
4: C 18: C
5: A 19: D
6: B 20: E
7: E 21: E
8: C 22: D
9: C 23: B
10: A 24: E
11: B 25: B
12: B 26: C
13: B 27: E
14: C

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