Unit 16

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FINDING SPECIFIC INFORMATION

One question type in the Reading Comprehension section asks you to find what line(s) in
the passage a piece of information is written. Before checking the passage for all the
lines listed as options, you should understand the key word or key idea of the question.
The correct information in the passage is often a restatement of the key word or key idea
of the question.

Example
Line Bioluminescence, defined as the emission of visible light by living organisms,
is a characteristic of many near-surface ocean creatures. Most of these creatures
produce light when they are irritated by something around them. Scientists have
produced light the way these animals do, but the light which is produced by living
5 creatures in the dark will always be beautiful.
There are about forty main kinds of organisms that produce bioluminescence.
Of these organisms, fireflies are the best known as insects that have lights. Fireflies
can control their lights so that they serve as signals between males and females.
Other insects such as the cucujo beetle and the lantern fly, which are found in
10 tropical forests, produce a very intense light. It is so bright that an army surgeon
once performed an operation under the light of a beetle.
Adapted from 1963, Science Research Associates, Inc., Brown LAB IIIb

Sample questions
1. Where in the passage does the author give a definition?
(A) Lines 1-2
(B) Lines 3-5
(C) Line 6
(D) Line 7
2. Where in the passage does the author mention the use of the insect light to illuminate
surgery?
(A) Lines 2-3
(B) Lines 7-8
(C) Lines 9-10
(D) Lines 10-11

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
Explanation
1. Question 1 asks you to find a definition. In line 1, you find … bioluminescence,
defined …, and you should recognize that it is the definition of bioluminescence. The
correct answer is (A).
2. Question 2 asks you to find information about the use of the insect light in surgery.
The words surgeon and operation in line 11 tell you that the light is used in surgery.
So, the correct answer is (D).

Strategies

1. Determine the key word or key idea of the question.


2. Find in the passage all the lines listed as options.
3. The lines that contain a similar thought to the key word or key idea are the correct
answer. The information in the passage is a restatement of the question.
4. Choose the option that contains the line number(s) of the information.

Exercise 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line The word citizen comes from the Latin word civitas, meaning membership of
a city. Today, citizenship refers mainly to membership in a nation. Citizenship is
also called nationality, a full membership in a nation. But nationality has a wider
meaning and implies a right to protection by one’s own country when visiting
5 another country. Almost all people have citizenship in at least one country.
Citizens have certain rights and duties. The rights of citizens differ from
nation to nation. Many nations have constitutions that provide for basic rights
known as civil rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and
freedom of assembly. In order to vote, citizens must be registered and must have
10 reached the minimum age. Like citizens’ rights, the duties of citizens also differ
from one nation to another. Most governments demand that citizens pay taxes,
defend their countries, and obey its laws.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 4

1. Where in the passage does the author discuss the origin of the word citizen?
(A) Lines 1-2
(B) Lines 3-5
(C) Lines 6-7
(D) Lines 10-11

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
2. Where in the passage does the author mention the obligations of a citizen?
(A) Line 2
(B) Line 5
(C) Lines 7-9
(D) Lines 11-12

Exercise 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line Coral is a limestone formation formed in the sea by millions of tiny animals.
Coral formations may look like large domes, small irregular crusts, or tiny organ
pipes. The living coral-forming animals become the color of the coral: beautiful
shades of tan, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Most coral-forming animals
5 feed at night on plankton and other small organisms. Poison cells released from
their tentacles paralyze these small creatures before they are captured. In addition,
hair-like structures around their mouths assist in gathering nutrients.
When these animals die, they leave limestone “skeletons” that form the
foundations of barriers and ridges in the sea called coral reefs. The reefs are
10 mostly found in warm, shallow tropical seas because they cannot live in water
colder than 18 C. Coral reefs abound throughout the South Pacific, in the
Caribbean Sea, in the East Indies and in the Indian Ocean. They also form around
Madagascar, along the Florida coast, and along the tropical coast of Brazil.
There are three kinds of coral reefs: (1) fringing reefs; (2) barrier reefs; and
15 (3) atolls. Fringing reefs extend from the shore into the sea. Barrier reefs follow
the shoreline and form a barrier between the water near the shore and the open
sea. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island in the open sea.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 4

1. Where in the passage does the author describe how coral-producing animals find
food?
(A) Line 1
(B) Lines 3-4
(C) Lines 4-5
(D) Lines 5-6
2. Where in the passage does the author explain why and where coral reefs are formed?
(A) Lines 2-3
(B) Lines 8-9
(C) Lines 9-11
(D) Lines 12-13
3. Where in the passage does the author describe the different kinds of reefs?
(A) Lines 6-7
(B) Lines 11-12
(C) Line 15
(D) Lines 15-17

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
Exercise 3
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line Civil rights are the freedoms and rights that a person may have as a member
of community, state, or government. Civil rights include, among others, freedom
of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to peaceful
assembly, and equal rights and opportunities for all people regardless of race,
5 sex, religion, age or disability.
In some countries, civil rights are protected by law and custom. The
constitutions of these countries have bills of rights that describe basic liberties and
rights. Courts of law decide whether a person’s civil rights have been violated. In
other countries, the governments claim to respect and guarantee civil rights, but
10 such claims differ greatly from actual conditions. In these countries, the people
are denied such basic rights as freedom of speech and of the press, even though
their constitutions guarantee these rights. Because of this contradiction, activists of
civil rights hold campaigns to gain their rights. Civil rights campaigns consist
mostly of public meetings, marches, and other forms of protests, such as people
15 sitting down on a public highway. They also include taking test cases to court and
lobbying members of the legislative body in an effort to change legislation. Such
campaigns make people aware of the issues and demonstrate popular support.
All civil rights have limits so that people do not use their freedoms to violate
the rights of other people. For example, a person may use freedom of speech as
20 long as his speech will not lead to the violent overthrow of the government. In
addition, a person may not use civil rights to justify actions that might seriously
harm the health, welfare, safety, or morals of others.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 4

1. In what lines does the author mention the kinds of civil rights?
(A) Lines 1-2
(B) Lines 2-5
(C) Lines 14-15
(D) Lines 20-23
2. In what lines does the author mention that in some countries people cannot apply
their rights?
(A) Lines 6-7
(B) Lines 10-12
(C) Lines 12-13
(D) Lines 15-17
3. Where in the passage does the author mention the effect of civil right campaigns?
(A) Line 8
(B) Lines 10-12
(C) Lines 16-17
(D) Lines 19-20

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
4. Where in the passage does the author describe the restrictions of civil rights?
(A) Line 6
(B) Lines 12-13
(C) Lines 15-17
(D) Lines 20-22

REVIEW

Review 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line Law is a set of enforced rules under which a society is governed. Law is a
basic social institution, one of the most necessary. No society could exist if all the
people did just as they pleased, without regard of the rights of others. Nor could
a society exist if its members did not recognize their certain obligations toward one
5 another. The law thus establishes the rules that define a person’s rights and
obligations. The law also sets penalties for those who violate it and states how the
government should enforce the rules and penalties.
In most societies, various government bodies, especially police agencies and
courts, see to it that people obey the laws. Because people can get a penalty for
10 disobeying the law, most of them agree that laws should be just. Justice is a
moral standard that applies to all human conduct. The laws enforced by
governments usually have a strong moral element, and so justice has generally
been one of the law’s guiding principles. But governments can, and sometimes
do, enforce laws that many people believe to be unjust. If this belief becomes
15 widespread, people may lose respect for and may even disobey them. But in
democratic societies, the law itself provides ways to amend or abolish unjust laws.
Law can be divided into two main branches: private and public. Private law
deals with the rights and obligations people have in their relations with one
another, while public law concerns the rights and obligations people have as
20 members of society and as citizens. Both private law and public law can be
subdivided into several branches. However, they are closely related, and in many
cases, overlap.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 12

1. Where in the passage does the author discuss the importance of law?
(A) Line 1
(B) Lines 1-2
(C) Lines 10-11
(D) Lines 11-13

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
2. The word “its” in line 4 refers to _______.
(A) law
(B) institution
(C) regard
(D) society
3. The word “their” in line 4 refers to _______.
(A) rules
(B) people
(C) rights
(D) members
4. Where in the passage does the author give the definition of justice?
(A) Lines 10-11
(B) Lines 12-13
(C) Lines 13-15
(D) Lines 15-16

5. The word “them ” in line 10 refers to _______.


(A) societies
(B) bodies
(C) laws
(A) people
6. Where in the passage does the author mention the definition of the kinds of law?
(A) Lines 5-6
(B) Lines 9-10
(C) Line 17
(D) Lines 17-20

7. The word “they” in line 21 refers to the relations of _______.


(A) rights and obligations
(B) people
(C) citizens
(D) private and public laws

Review 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line The Red Cross is an organization that works to relieve human suffering.
National Red Cross societies in more than 165 countries from all parts of the world
operate under the basic principles of the Red Cross, although each national society
has its own agenda, such as extensive medical and health programs and youth
5 activities. Workers of Red Cross are united in their aim to prevent misery in time of
war or peace, and serve all peoples, regardless of race, nationality, or religion.

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
The name Red Cross comes from the organization’s flag, which is a red
cross on a white background. The flag honors Switzerland, where the Red Cross
was founded in 1863. The Swiss flag is a white cross on a red field. Societies in
10 most Muslim countries use a red crescent, and they call themselves the Red
Crescent societies.
Jean Henri Dunant, who was a Swiss philanthropist, founded the
international Red Cross. He was in Italy in 1859 during the Austro-Sardinian War.
He saw the field at Solferino the day after 40,000 people had been killed and
15 wounded in the battle. He was shocked at the suffering of the wounded, so he
suggested that a group of volunteers be organized to help them. In 1862, he
published a pamphlet called Un Souvenir de Solferino (Recollections of Solferino).
It ended with the plea, ”Would it not be possible to found and organize in all
civilized countries permanent societies of volunteers who in time of war would give
20 help to the wounded without regard for their nationality?” The appeal won
favorable response. On October 26, 1862, delegates from 16 nations and
several charitable organizations met in Geneva to discuss Dunant’s idea of the Red
Cross. The conference laid the groundwork for the Red Cross movement and
chose the organization ‘s symbol.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 16

1. Where in the passage does the author describe the goal of the Red Cross?
(A) Line 1
(B) Lines 2-5
(C) Lines 5-6
(D) Lines 20-21
2. The word “their” in line 5 refers to the aim of _______.
(A) principles
(B) programs
(C) activities
(D) workers
3. Where in the passage does the author describe the origin of the name Red Cross?
(A) Lines 7-8
(B) Lines 9-11
(C) Line 12-13
(D) Lines 14-15
4. Where in the passage does the author mention Dunant’s motivation for founding the
organization?
(A) Lines 12-13
(B) Lines 14-15
(C) Lines 15-16
(D) Lines 16-17

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
5. The word “It” in line 18 refers to _______.
(A) field
(B) battle
(C) group
(D) pamphlet

6. The word “their” in line 20 refers to _______.


(A) countries
(B) societies
(C) volunteers
(D) the wounded

SUPPLEMENTARY EXERCISES

Supplementary Exercise 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line Panda is the name of two kinds of Asian animals that are quite unlike each
other in appearance: the giant panda and the red panda. The giant panda is a
large, black-and-white animal, while the red panda is reddish-brown and much
smaller. Both live in bamboo forests on upper mountain slopes of western and
5 southwestern China. They chiefly eat bamboo shoots and some other plants and
occasionally feed on fish and small rodents.
The giant panda resembles a bear in size and body shape, and it can stand
erect on its hind legs. Research during the 1980’s indicated that the giant panda’s
chromosomes, gene-carrying structures in cells, are chemically more similar to
10 those of a bear. As a result, most zoologists now consider the giant panda to be a
bear. An adult giant panda grows to 1 or 1.5 meters long and has a short tail. It
weighs up to 160 kilograms. The giant panda is threatened with extinction, so it is
protected by law. To remind people that the species is threatened with extinction,
the World Wildlife Fund for nature, an international organization for the protection
15 of wildlife, has adopted the giant panda as its symbol.
Zoologists classify the red panda as a member of the raccoon family. The
animal has long, soft fur, and a ringed, bushy tail like that of a raccoon. It easily
climbs trees, where it sleeps most of the day. It grows about 60 centimeters long,
excluding its tail, and weighs from about 3 to 5 kilograms.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 15

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
1. Where in the passage does the author describe the habitat of the giant and red
pandas?
(A) Lines 1-2
(B) Lines 4-5
(C) Lines 5-6
(D) Lines 12-13

2. The word “its” in line 8 refers to _______.


(A) the giant panda
(B) bear
(C) size
(D) body shape

3. Where in the passage does the author provide evidence that the giant panda belongs
to the bear family?
(A) Lines 2-4
(B) Lines 7-8
(C) Lines 8-10
(D) Lines 10-11

4. The word “its” in line 15 refers to _______.


(A) species
(B) extinction
(C) the World Wildlife Fund
(D) the giant panda

5. Where in the passage does the writer mention the classification of the red panda?
(A) Line 16
(B) Lines 16-17
(C) Lines 17-18
(D) Lines 18-19

Supplementary Exercise 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line The Pacific Ocean is the earth’s largest and deepest body of water. If all the
continents were placed in the Pacific, there would still be room for another continent
the size of Asia, the largest continent. The Pacific covers about a third of the earth’s
surface and stretches from the frozen north to the frozen south. It laps the shores of
5 warm islands in the tropics and washes the coasts of all the continents except Africa
and Europe.
The Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, as he looked upon this great
ocean, named it Pacific, which means peaceful. He sailed for weeks and was
driven by soft winds. He watched flying fishes and porpoises play in its warm, quiet
10 waters. However, the mighty Pacific is not always so peaceful because it can rise to

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
heights of wrath. Out of its great spaces blow some of the most destructive storms
on earth. Its typhoons have wrecked fleets of ships, and leveled island cities. Its
eruptive volcanoes as well as earthquakes beneath the sea have caused destructive
tsunamis, or tidal waves. These waves sometimes reach heights of 30 meters and
15 roll completely over islands in their paths.
The Pacific has an average depth of about 3,900 meters, but the ocean floor
is extremely uneven. It includes underwater mountains and ridges and extremely
deep areas called trenches. Most of the underwater mountains rise in the central
and western Pacific. These mountains form ranges that extend northwest and
20 southeast. Geologists believe that most of them are active volcanoes.
The main currents of the Pacific follow a circular pattern, clockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. They greatly
influence the climate of the land bordering the Pacific. The Japan current, for
example, sweeps northward from the warm tropics, warming the Japanese islands.
25 The North Pacific drift maintains some of its warmth across the Pacific, and helps
moderate the climate of southern Alaska and western Canada.
Adapted from The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 15

1. The word “it” in line 4 refers to _______.


(A) another continent
(B) Asia
(C) the Pacific
(D) the earth’s surface

2. Where in the passage does the author indicate who gave the name of the Pacific
Ocean?
(A) Lines 1-3
(B) Lines 7-8
(C) Lines 9-10
(D) Lines 17-18

3. Where in the passage does the author describe the damage caused by the Pacific
storms?
(A) Lines 8-9
(B) Lines 10-11
(C) Lines 11-12
(D) Line 12

4. The word “their” in line 15 refers to _______.


(A) earthquakes
(B) waves
(C) heights
(D) islands

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information
5. The word “them” in line 20 refers to _______.
(A) trenches
(B) mountains
(C) ranges
(D) Geologists

6. Where in the passage does the author mention the impact of the Pacific currents on
the climate?
(A) Lines 4-5
(B) Lines 19-20
(C) Lines 21-22
(D) Lines 22-23

7. The phrase “its warmth” in line 25 refers to the warmth of the _______.
(A) climate
(B) the Pacific
(C) the Japan current
(D) drift

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Unit 16–Finding Specific Information

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