Reading Comprehension Test 36

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.[/passage-header]  During the Gulf War the extent of the development of television and radio news broadcasting was very apparent. The CNN reporter Peter Arnett gave live coverage of the situation present in the capital city of Iraq, Baghdad. The telephone lines which were constantly open and full of minute by minute reportage of the events taking place, served as the main means of communication. Although they were not given complete freedom in the use of their television cameras, the scenes that they were able to show the world were viewed with interest and astonishment. The whole world was able to follow the events of the war as they took place, from their living room television sets.

[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]  In 1924 Thomas Watson Sr. changed the name of his company to International Business Machines. The company produced many types of electronic machines. In 1952, Watson's son, Thomas Jr. became the head of the company and proceeded to manufacture their first computers. This first computer was produced for scientists. Many other forms of the computer were produced and in 1981 this firm marketed its first personal computer. Unfortunately, this world known
and respected company, better known as IBM, is now like many other companies: in financial difficulty.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.
[/passage-header]  In 1924 Thomas Watson Sr. changed the name of his company to International Business Machines. The company produced many types of electronic machines. In 1952, Watson's son, Thomas Jr. became the head of the company and proceeded to manufacture their first computers. This first computer was produced for scientists. Many other forms of the computer were produced and in 1981 this firm marketed its first personal computer. Unfortunately, this world known
and respected company, better known as IBM, is now like many other companies: in financial difficulty.

[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]  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]  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]  In order to make the first clock, man had to first divide the day into hours and minutes. The Babylonians were the first to divide the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds. The Egyptians created shadow clocks which later became sundials. Around 100 B.C. the first hourglass was used. These were usually timed for one hour. The Greeks and Romans later used water clocks which had been developed by the Chinese and were called clepsydras. The first mechanical clocks were developed in Europe in the 1300's. These were improved and in 1656 a Dutchman designed the first pendulum clock, which was more accurate than the other clocks of the time. After World War 11 the atomic clock was developed and is still the world's most accurate clock. The quartz crystal clocks and watches that were developed in the 1960's and 70's are also extremely accurate, second in accuracy to only the atomic clock.

[passage-header]Answer the following question according to the text.
[/passage-header]  In order to make the first clock, man had to first divide the day into hours and minutes. The Babylonians were the first to divide the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds. The Egyptians created shadow clocks which later became sundials. Around 100 B.C. the first hourglass was used. These were usually timed for one hour. The Greeks and Romans later used water clocks which had been developed by the Chinese and were called clepsydras. The first mechanical clocks were developed in Europe in the 1300's. These were improved and in 1656 a Dutchman designed the first pendulum clock, which was more accurate than the other clocks of the time. After World War 11 the atomic clock was developed and is still the world's most accurate clock. The quartz crystal clocks and watches that were developed in the 1960's and 70's are also extremely accurate, second in accuracy to only the atomic clock.

[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.