Reading Comprehension Test 31

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Sumo wrestling is an extremely popular sport in Japan. The Sumo champions are extremely large men who are not only tall but also weigh 130 kilograms or more. The reason that these wrestlers are so big is that the object of the game is for one wrestler to either throw his opponent out of the ring or to force him to the ground. The larger a wrestler is, the greater his chances are of winning a fight. These matches are usually very short, most lasting less than one minute.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Sumo wrestling is an extremely popular sport in Japan. The Sumo champions are extremely large men who are not only tall but also weigh 130 kilograms or more. The reason that these wrestlers are so big is that the object of the game is for one wrestler to either throw his opponent out of the ring or to force him to the ground. The larger a wrestler is, the greater his chances are of winning a fight. These matches are usually very short, most lasting less than one minute.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Although all spiders kill their prey by injecting them with poison only a few are dangerous enough to cause people or large animals any harm. The poison of the spider is injected by way of the pair of powerful fangs it possesses. Their venom is injected into its prey and for most insects and sometimes small animals, it is fatal. The most dangerous spiders are the black widow spiders. The European black widow can cause serious illness in a human victim whereas the North American black widow is known to have caused the death of people on several
occasions.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  When Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 from Spain, his destination was not America. In fact, he did not even know that the huge American continents existed. His purpose in sailing west was to reach the Indies faster than other ships which used a route around Africa. The Indies were a source of riches for Europeans during those days. The treasures of spices, silks, etc. were greatly valued by Europeans but were extremely difficult to obtain. When Columbus reached the islands that are now known as the West Indies, he believed he had reached Asia and he called the people living there 'Indians'.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  There are about 980 flying mammals referred to as bats. They are the only real flying mammals on Earth. Most bats feed on a diet of insects. Some feed on flowers and fruits, but the most interesting are the vampire bats of the Americas, which suck the blood of large birds and other mammals. Unfortunately, these vampire bats are capable of transmitting rabies and are for this reason considered dangerous. The other types of bats are of no danger to man and are even considered helpers of nature by way of their diet which helps control the insect population in various areas of the world. Although the misunderstood bat has represented fear and terror in the west, it is seen as a sign of good luck and long life in the east.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Jesse Ownes was one of the world's most famous track stars. The newspapers of his day called him "the world's fastest human." This was because he could run faster and jump further than any other man of the time. He was born in 1913. The son of a poor black family with six other brothers and sisters, the first years of his life were very difficult. He was close to death many times during his youth, due to illness. However, the care of his mother and father helped him to pull through each time. He started running and training in school and while in college at Ohio State University he entered a national competition. During this competition he set four world records. In 1936, the Olympic Games took place in Germany. This was the Germany of Hitler who did not believe that any race of people was better than the Germans. Jesse won the gold medal for each of the events he entered during the games and became one of the most popular athletes in the world.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Algae are a group of plants that contain some of the largest and smallest life forms known. Most Algae are made of one cell and can only be seen under the microscope. Other types can grow over forty meters long. An example that is known to most people is brown seaweed. One of the most important groups of algae is plankton. Many sea animals form their diet of this plant and the natural balance of sea life would be greatly disturbed without it.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  The United Nations was created by a charter signed by delegates of 50 countries on 26 June, 1945. The headquarters of the UN is in New York City. Its official languages are Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The UN is an international organization that works for world peace and security and for the betterment of all mankind. There are 6 major organs of the UN that carry on the work of the organization. These 6 major organs are: The General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  Ballet dancers were originally all men. Women only began to appear in performances in 1681, in Paris. The encouragement of King Louis XIV of France is greatly responsible for the establishment of ballet as one of the major art forms it is seen as today. Many young girls begin ballet lessons at the age of 5 or so and train for many years before they are good enough to perform. Most dancers never do perform at all but the graceful movements and control of the body acquired by anyone who has ballet training, encourages parents to obtain at least several years of lessons for their young daughters.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.
[/passage-header]  What has caused the increasing popularity in the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT during recent years? Is there a possibility that the public is being informed by scientists of dangers to the world, more than in the past? Or, is it possible that politicians are not hiding the facts that have been known to them but which have not been told before? These factors probably have had an influence on the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT, but the damage to nature can actually be seen by everyone today. It affects every society in all regions of the world. It is frightening and people are now starting to take a stand against industrialization and other developments which are destroying their lives and the future of their children.