Reading Smart (Beginner) Test 2

Part I. Grammar & Vocabulary (40%)       Name: _______________ Score: _________

(   ) 1. After shouting _____ for over two hours, it was no surprise that Mike had a sore throat.

(A) constantly          (B) gradually             (C) relatively            (D) traditionally

(   ) 2. We have the trip all planned out, and all we have to do now is _____ a car.

(A) await                  (B) wipe                    (C) lend                    (D) rent

(   ) 3. Drink this _____ of honey, lemon, and herbal tea and you will feel better.

(A) release                (B) instrument           (C) mixture              (D) formation

(   ) 4. Jim felt quite embarrassed when his boss _____ him harshly in front of his coworkers.

(A) praised               (B) scolded                (C) introduced         (D) encouraged

(   ) 5. A large number of fans were anxiously waiting at the airport for the _____ of the pop singer.

(A) process               (B) discovery             (C) arrival                (D) character

(   ) 6. Heather _____ her coffee for a few seconds before taking a sip.

(A) stirred                (B) wiped                  (C) chewed               (D) pushed

(   ) 7. The salad dressing needs to be shaken up until the oil and _____ are mixed well.

(A) religion               (B) guilt                     (C) vinegar               (D) opera

(   ) 8. The professor's lecture was interrupted when the fire alarm suddenly _____.

(A) passed out          (B) went off               (C) cheered up         (D) took over

(   ) 9. There are few opportunities in rural areas, _____ is often why people move to big cities.

(A) that                    (B) what                    (C) where                 (D) which

(   ) 10. While _____ in the mountains, they came across a beautiful waterfall that wasn't on the map.

(A) hiked                  (B) to hike                 (C) hiking                (D) they hike

Part II. Fill-in-the-Blank (40%)

(A) remain         (B) announce    (C) recipe    (D) blends   (E) pouring

(F) shamed         (G) squeezing   (H) peels     (I) inspected      (J) ingredient

(   ) 11. Before _____ the milk on his cereal, Harold smelled it to make sure it was still fresh.

(   ) 12. In case of an emergency, please _____ calm and walk toward the exit.

(   ) 13. The man was so strong that he could crack open nuts by _____ them in his bare hands.

(   ) 14. Although Maria followed the _____ closely, her apple pie didn't turn out well.

(   ) 15. After the big earthquake, engineers _____ the bridge to see if it was still structurally safe.

(   ) 16. The president is expected to _____ changes to the education system at today's conference.

(   ) 17. The main _____ in this dish is a very rare spice that is harvested from a flower.

(   ) 18. This machine _____ different fruits together to make a tasty drink.

(   ) 19. Chris never _____ apples before eating them because he likes the skin.

(   ) 20. It _____ Anna to see her parents fighting with each other in the restaurant.

Part III. Reading Comprehension (20%)

Madame Butterfly is a classic opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. It tells the story of American naval officer B. F. Pinkerton and his bride, Cio Cio, also known as Butterfly. It takes place in Japan in early 1900s.

The first act sees Pinkerton renting a house in the port city of Nagasaki. As he is looking over the property, he reveals to his friend, Consul Sharpless, that he purchased a bride for one hundred yen but plans on leaving her for a "real" American wife. Unaware of this, Butterfly happily converts to her future husband's religion as she prepares to become a part of his life. In Act II, Butterfly, who had given birth to their son, waits for Pinkerton to return after he left shortly following their marriage three years ago. She lives alone and refuses to remarry, even to Prince Yamadori, because deep down she believes that her husband will come back to her. With a letter from Pinkerton in hand, Sharpless tries to convince her otherwise, but she'll hear none of it, for she knows he won't abandon his son. In the final act, Pinkerton arrives at Butterfly's house with his new wife, Kate, to get the child. However, filled with guilt, he steps away and leaves Kate and Sharpless to deal with Butterfly. Faced with this news, Butterfly knows all is lost and kills herself.

(   ) 21. Who does "he" in the second paragraph refer to?

(A) Consul Sharpless                               (B) Giacomo

(C) Prince Yamadori                                                                 (D) Officer Pinkerton

(   ) 22. How does Pinkerton feel about Cio Cio?

(A) He thinks highly of her.

(B) He doesn't take their relationship seriously.

(C) He looks upon her as his real wife.

(D) He considers her a good friend.

(   ) 23. Which of the following actions is NOT something Butterfly does?

(A) Happily gives up her son to Kate

(B) Turns down other marriage proposals

(C) Keeps her love for Pinkerton alive

(D) Changes from her original faith to a Western one

(   ) 24. Why most likely was Pinkerton filled with guilt?

(A) He wanted to divorce Kate.

(B) He never told Kate about Butterfly.

(C) He is ashamed of how he has treated Butterfly.

(D) He forgot to tell Butterfly he was coming home.