TEST 6 Comprehension

Passage 1
Philosophy in the second half of the 19th century was based more on biology and
history than on mathematics and physics. Revolutionary thought drifted away from
metaphysics and epistemology and shifted more towards ideologies in science, politics,
Lin and sociology. Pragmatism became the most vigorous school of thought in American
e philosophy during this time, and it continued the empiricist tradition of grounding
(5) knowledge on experience and stressing the inductive procedures of experimental science.
The three most important pragmatists of this period were the American philosophers
Charles Peirce (1839-1914), considered to be the first of the American pragmatists,
William James (1842-1910), the first great American psychologist, and John Dewey (1859-
1952), who further developed the pragmatic principles of Peirce and James into a
(10) comprehensive system of thought that he called “experimental naturalism”, or
“instrumentalism”.

Pragmatism was generally critical of traditional western philosophy, especially the

notion that there are absolute truths and absolute values. In contrast, Josiah Royce (1855-
1916), was a leading American exponent of idealism at this time, who believed in an
(15) absolute truth and held that human thought and the external world were unified.
Pragmatism called for ideas and theories to be tested in practice, assessing whether they
produced desirable or undesirable results. Although pragmatism was popular for a time in
Europe, most agree that it epitomized the American faith in know-how and practicality, and
the equally American distrust of abstract theories and ideologies. Pragmatism is best
(20) understood in its historical and cultural context. It arose during a period of rapid scientific
advancement, industrialization, and material progress; a time when the theory of evolution
suggested to many thinkers that humanity and society are in a perpetual state of progress.
This period also saw a decline in traditional religious beliefs and values. As a result, it
became necessary to rethink fundamental ideas about values, religion, science,
(25) community, and individuality. Pragmatists regarded all theories and institutions as
tentative hypotheses and solutions. According to their critics, the pragmatist’s refusal to
affirm any absolutes carried negative implications for society, challenging the foundations
of society’s institutions.

1. What is this passage primarily about?

(A) the evolution of philosophy in the second half of the 19th century
(B) the three most important American pragmatists of the late 19th century
(C) the differences between pragmatism and traditional western philosophy
(D) American pragmatism

2. Which of the following is true

(A) idealism was an important part of the pragmatic approach
(B) “pragmatism” was also known as “traditional western philosophy”
(C) pragmatism continued the empiricist tradition
(D) pragmatism is best understood independently of its historical and cultural context

3. Which of the following is true, according to the passage

(A) absolute truths and values are notions in western traditional philosophy
(B) John Dewey was the first great American psychologist
(C) the empiricist tradition is part of traditional western philosophy
(D) revolutionary thought was not pragmatic
4. The phrase “at this time” in line 14 refers to
(A) at the time traditional western philosophy was dominant in America
(B) at the time pragmatism was popular in Europe
(C) 1855-1916
(D) the second half of the 19th century

5. According to the passage, pragmatism was more popular in America than Europe because
(A) Americans had greater acceptance of the theory of evolution
(B) it epitomized the American faith in know-how and practicality
(C) Europe had a more traditional society based on a much longer history
(D) industrialization and material progress was occurring at a faster pace in America at that
time

6. The word “ abstract” in line 19 is closest in meaning to

(A) unclear (B) not concrete (C) new (D) old

7. The word “perpetual” in line 22 is closest in meaning to

(A) challenging (B) continuous (C) declining (D) secular

8. The word “fundamental” in line 24 is closest in meaning to

(A) new (B) personal (C) essential (D) threatening

9. All of the following are true EXCEPT

(A) revolutionary thought shifted more towards ideologies in science, politics and sociology
(B) pragmatists regarded all theories and institutions as tentative hypotheses and solutions
(C) Josiah Royce was not a pragmatist
(D) pragmatism was based on the theory of evolution

10. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(A) Josiah Royce considered Charles Peirce to be challenging the foundations of society’s
institutions
(B) Charles Peirce considered Josiah Royce to be too influenced by the theory of evolution
(C) John Dewey would not have developed his system of thought called “experimental
naturalism” or “instrumentalism” without the pioneering work of Charles Peirce and William
James
(D) Josiah Royce was a revolutionary thinker

Passage 2
Forces other than damaging winds are also at work inside tornadoes. Sometimes,
as the writhing, twisting funnel passes over a house, the walls and ceiling burst apart as
if a bomb had gone off inside. This explosion is caused by the low air pressure at the
center of a tornado.

The pressure at the center of a tornado is usually 13 pounds per square inch.
However, inside the house the air pressure is normal, about 15 pounds per square inch.
The difference of 2 pounds per square inch between the inside and outside pressure may
not seem like much. But suppose a tornado funnel passes over a small building that
measures 20 by 10 by 10 feet. On each square inch of the building, there is 2 pounds of
pressure from the inside that is not balanced by air pressure outside the building. On the
 ceiling, that adds up to an unbalanced pressure of 57, 600 pounds. The pressure on the
four walls adds up to 172,800 pounds.

If windows are open in the building, some of the inside air will rush out through
them. This will balance the pressure inside and outside the building. But if the windows
are shut tightly, the enormous inside pressure may cause the building to burst.

Unfortunately, heavy rain and hail often occur in thunderstorms that later produce
tornadoes. So people frequently shut all windows to protect their property. This may
cause far worse damage later. For the same reason, tornado cellars must have an air
vent. Otherwise, the cellar door might be blown out when a tornado passes over it.

1. Which of the following is the main topic of the passage?

(A) How tornadoes can be prevented (B) When tornadoes usually occur
(C) Where tornadoes are formed (D) Why tornadoes cause so much damage

2. In line 2, the word "funnel" refers to which of the following?

(A) A bomb (B) A house (C) A tornado (D) An explosion

3. According to the passage, tornadoes can destroy buildings because the

(A) force of a tornado increases the air pressure in a building
(B) air pressure at the center of a tornado is over 172,000 pounds
(C) weight of a tornado can crush a building's roof when it passes overhead
(D) air pressure inside a tornado is less than the air pressure inside a building

4. According to the passage, what is the difference per square inch between the air pressure inside a
building and the air pressure inside a tornado?
(A) 2 pounds (B) 10 pounds (C) 13 pounds (D) 15 pounds

5. According to the passage, the pressure on a building during a tornado can be relieved by
(A) closing the cellar (B) opening the windows
(C) using a fan for ventilation (D) strengthening the roof and walls

6. According to the passage, people close their windows to prevent damage caused by
(A) tornadoes (B) thunderstorms
(C) uprooted trees (D) bursting structures

7. In line 17, the word "it" refers to

(A) wind (B) hail (C) cellar door (D) air vent

Passage 3
Exquisite patterns and surface ornamentation were an integral part of the aesthetics
of the late Victorian era. In America, these developments were incorporated into the
themes of national expositions and artistic movements, as cottage industries grew and
Lin productivity in the decorative arts flourished. The last three decades of the 19th century
e saw a change in sensibility that resulted in new stylistic approaches in American
(5) decorative arts, a departure from the previous era of Rococo and Renaissance Revival
excess. Shapes became more angular, smoother and less flamboyant. The popular
carvings and deep modeling of earlier years disappeared as ornamentation became more
linear and lighter in appearance. Decoration focused on the surface with rich and elegant
patterns adorning furniture, objects of every sort, and architectural and interior
(10) decorations. This artistic reawakening was prompted by the effects of the Industrial
 Revolution on contemporary design.

This new attitude, with its focus on ornament and the decorative, was later referred
to as the Aesthetic Movement, but it also encompassed the early Arts and Crafts
Movement as well. The purpose was to bring a refined sensibility and components of
(15)
“good taste” to the domestic interior. Art and good taste not only denoted good character,
but also could be used to induce proper moral conduct and actions, thereby contributing to
the betterment of society. This placed a heavy burden on designers/decorators as well as
on women as keepers of the home. Americans drew inspiration from the writing and work
of English artists. This was a period of great eclecticism. Tastes ranged from the Modern
(20)
Gothic through the Persian, Greek and Islamic, to the Japanese, and with more than a nod
to Mother Nature. Yet, regardless of the influence, surface pattern reigned supreme.
English reformers dictated that ornament should be derived from nature, and pattern
should be flat and stylized. Forms were accentuated by colored outlines, or often with
touches of gold. The emphasis was on art and on development of a refined sensibility. It
(25)
was all a matter of taste.

1. What is the main topic of the passage?

(A) defining the “Aesthetic Movement”
(B) decorative arts in late 19th century America
(C) English influences on American decorative arts in the late 19th century
(D) The change in tastes from “Rocco and Renaissance Revival” to the ‘Aesthetic Movement” in
late 19th century America

2. The word “integral” in line 1 is closest in meaning to

(A) essential (B) additional (C) important (D) beautifying

3. According to the passage, during the Aesthetic Movement popular carvings and deep modeling of
earlier years
(A) were popular (B) again became popular
(C) disappeared (D) defined good taste

4. The word “elegant” in line 9 is closest in meaning to

(A) beautiful (B) ornamental (C) colorful (D) refined

5. According to the passage, the purpose of the Aesthetic Movement was to

(A) induce proper moral conduct and actions
(B) define what was meant by good taste in the domestic interior
(C) encompass Arts and Crafts as well as ornament an decoration
(D) define good character and contribute to the betterment of society

6. The phrase “new attitude” in line 14 refers to

(A) including the early Arts and Craft Movement as well
(B) artistic reawakening
(C) the Industrial Revolution
(D) Rococo and Renaissance Revival

7. The word “denoted” in line 16 is closest in meaning to

(A) promoted (B) facilitated (C) developed (D) signified

8. Where in the passage does the author mention the influence of art and good taste on morals?
(A) lines 5-9 (B) lines 10-14 (C) lines 15-20 (D) lines 20-24
9. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(A) designers and decorators were mainly responsible for starting the new attitude
(B) the movement led to a higher standard of morality in late 19th century America
(C) the Americans considered the English to be the arbiters of good taste
(D) women, as keepers of the home, faced a heavy burden

10. According to the passage, which of the following remained most important, regardless of
influences from other countries?
(A) surface pattern (B) English opinions
(C) good taste (D) Proper moral conduct and actions

11. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a feature of the Aesthetic Movement?
(A) shapes became less flamboyant (B) ornamentation became lighter in
appearance
(C) forms were accentuated by colored lines (D) decorations focused mainly on furniture