Reading Comprehension – Intermediate Level – Test 4 (UK)

Passage 1

As he witnessed the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945, a piece of Hindu scripture ran through the mind of Robert Oppenheimer: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. It is, perhaps, the most well-known line from the Bhagavad-Gita, but also the most misunderstood.

Oppenheimer died at the age of sixty-two in Princeton, New Jersey on February 18, 1967. As wartime head of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the birthplace of the Manhattan Project, he is rightly seen as the “father” of the atomic bomb. “We knew the world would not be the same,” he later recalled. “A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.” Oppenheimer, watching the fireball of the Trinity nuclear test, turned to Hinduism. While he never became a Hindu in the devotional sense, Oppenheimer found it a useful philosophy to structure his life around. “He was obviously very attracted to this philosophy,” says Rev Dr Stephen Thompson, who holds a PhD in Sanskrit grammar and is currently reading a DPhil at Oxford University on other aspects of the language and Hindu faith. Oppenheimer’s interest in Hinduism was about more than a soundbite, it was a way of making sense of his actions.

Source: Temperton, James – Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds’. The story of Oppenheimer’s infamous quote.

1. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

Passage 1

As he witnessed the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945, a piece of Hindu scripture ran through the mind of Robert Oppenheimer: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. It is, perhaps, the most well-known line from the Bhagavad-Gita, but also the most misunderstood.

Oppenheimer died at the age of sixty-two in Princeton, New Jersey on February 18, 1967. As wartime head of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the birthplace of the Manhattan Project, he is rightly seen as the “father” of the atomic bomb. “We knew the world would not be the same,” he later recalled. “A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.” Oppenheimer, watching the fireball of the Trinity nuclear test, turned to Hinduism. While he never became a Hindu in the devotional sense, Oppenheimer found it a useful philosophy to structure his life around. “He was obviously very attracted to this philosophy,” says Rev Dr Stephen Thompson, who holds a PhD in Sanskrit grammar and is currently reading a DPhil at Oxford University on other aspects of the language and Hindu faith. Oppenheimer’s interest in Hinduism was about more than a soundbite, it was a way of making sense of his actions.

Source: Temperton, James – Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds’. The story of Oppenheimer’s infamous quote.

2. Which quote from the passage best illustrates the magnitude of the atomic bomb during the test?

Passage 1

As he witnessed the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945, a piece of Hindu scripture ran through the mind of Robert Oppenheimer: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. It is, perhaps, the most well-known line from the Bhagavad-Gita, but also the most misunderstood.

Oppenheimer died at the age of sixty-two in Princeton, New Jersey on February 18, 1967. As wartime head of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the birthplace of the Manhattan Project, he is rightly seen as the “father” of the atomic bomb. “We knew the world would not be the same,” he later recalled. “A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.” Oppenheimer, watching the fireball of the Trinity nuclear test, turned to Hinduism. While he never became a Hindu in the devotional sense, Oppenheimer found it a useful philosophy to structure his life around. “He was obviously very attracted to this philosophy,” says Rev Dr Stephen Thompson, who holds a PhD in Sanskrit grammar and is currently reading a DPhil at Oxford University on other aspects of the language and Hindu faith. Oppenheimer’s interest in Hinduism was about more than a soundbite, it was a way of making sense of his actions.

Source: Temperton, James – Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds’. The story of Oppenheimer’s infamous quote.

3. Based on the evidence in the passage, what language is the Bhagavad Gita most likely written in?

Passage 2

The Rocky Statue and the “Rocky Steps” are undeniably two of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia.

A near constant flow of people arrive daily to snap a picture with the Rocky statue at the bottom of the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and then hustle up the museum’s grand stairway to try their hand at the famous two-arms-raised salute.

Originally created for a scene in Rocky III, the sculpture is a real-life monument to a celluloid hero who endures as a favorite fictional son of the City of Brotherly Love.

Visiting the statue, running up the steps and taking a picture at the top, arms-raised in victory is a must on any first visit to Philadelphia. Consider it a rite of passage.

Source: Visit Philly – The Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps.

4. The word “celluloid” could be replaced with which of the following without changing the passage’s meaning?

Passage 2

The Rocky Statue and the “Rocky Steps” are undeniably two of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia.

A near constant flow of people arrive daily to snap a picture with the Rocky statue at the bottom of the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and then hustle up the museum’s grand stairway to try their hand at the famous two-arms-raised salute.

Originally created for a scene in Rocky III, the sculpture is a real-life monument to a celluloid hero who endures as a favorite fictional son of the City of Brotherly Love.

Visiting the statue, running up the steps and taking a picture at the top, arms-raised in victory is a must on any first visit to Philadelphia. Consider it a rite of passage.

Source: Visit Philly – The Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps.

5. Why are the “Rocky steps” such a big tourist attraction?

Passage 3

Then came the night of the first falling star. It was seen early in the morning, rushing over Winchester eastward, a line of flame high in the atmosphere. Hundreds must have seen it, and taken it for an ordinary falling star. Albin described it as leaving a greenish streak behind it that glowed for some seconds. Denning, our greatest authority on meteorites, stated that the height of its first appearance was about ninety or one hundred miles. It seemed to him that it fell to earth about one hundred miles east of him.

I was at home at that hour and writing in my study; and although my French windows face towards Ottershaw and the blind was up (for I loved in those days to look up at the night sky), I saw nothing of it. Yet this strangest of all things that ever came to earth from outer space must have fallen while I was sitting there, visible to me had I only looked up as it passed. Some of those who saw its flight say it travelled with a hissing sound. I myself heard nothing of that. Many people in Berkshire, Surrey, and Middlesex must have seen the fall of it, and, at most, have thought that another meteorite had descended. No one seems to have troubled to look for the fallen mass that night.

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

6. According to the passage, what is the Narrators name?

Passage 3

Then came the night of the first falling star. It was seen early in the morning, rushing over Winchester eastward, a line of flame high in the atmosphere. Hundreds must have seen it, and taken it for an ordinary falling star. Albin described it as leaving a greenish streak behind it that glowed for some seconds. Denning, our greatest authority on meteorites, stated that the height of its first appearance was about ninety or one hundred miles. It seemed to him that it fell to earth about one hundred miles east of him.

I was at home at that hour and writing in my study; and although my French windows face towards Ottershaw and the blind was up (for I loved in those days to look up at the night sky), I saw nothing of it. Yet this strangest of all things that ever came to earth from outer space must have fallen while I was sitting there, visible to me had I only looked up as it passed. Some of those who saw its flight say it travelled with a hissing sound. I myself heard nothing of that. Many people in Berkshire, Surrey, and Middlesex must have seen the fall of it, and, at most, have thought that another meteorite had descended. No one seems to have troubled to look for the fallen mass that night.

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

7. When did the narrator see the “falling star”?

Passage 4

But very early in the morning poor Ogilvy, who had seen the shooting star and who was persuaded that a meteorite lay somewhere on the common between Horsell, Ottershaw, and Woking, rose early with the idea of finding it. Find it he did, soon after dawn, and not far from the sand-pits. An enormous hole had been made by the impact of the projectile, and the sand and gravel had been flung violently in every direction over the heath, forming heaps visible a mile and a half away. The heather was on fire eastward, and a thin blue smoke rose against the dawn.

The Thing itself lay almost entirely buried in sand, amidst the scattered splinters of a fir tree it had shivered to fragments in its descent. The uncovered part had the appearance of a huge cylinder, caked over and its outline softened by a thick scaly dun-coloured incrustation. It had a diameter of about thirty yards. He approached the mass, surprised at the size and more so at the shape, since most meteorites are rounded more or less completely. It was, however, still so hot from its flight through the air as to forbid his near approach. A stirring noise within its cylinder he ascribed to the unequal cooling of its surface; for at that time it had not occurred to him that it might be hollow.

He remained standing at the edge of the pit that the Thing had made for itself, staring at its strange appearance, astonished chiefly at its unusual shape and colour, and dimly perceiving even then some evidence of design in its arrival. The early morning was wonderfully still, and the sun, just clearing the pine trees towards Weybridge, was already warm. He did not remember hearing any birds that morning, there was certainly no breeze stirring, and the only sounds were the faint movements from within the cindery cylinder. He was all alone on the common.

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

8. What did Ogilvy consider to be the most unusual aspect of “The Thing”?

Passage 4

But very early in the morning poor Ogilvy, who had seen the shooting star and who was persuaded that a meteorite lay somewhere on the common between Horsell, Ottershaw, and Woking, rose early with the idea of finding it. Find it he did, soon after dawn, and not far from the sand-pits. An enormous hole had been made by the impact of the projectile, and the sand and gravel had been flung violently in every direction over the heath, forming heaps visible a mile and a half away. The heather was on fire eastward, and a thin blue smoke rose against the dawn.

The Thing itself lay almost entirely buried in sand, amidst the scattered splinters of a fir tree it had shivered to fragments in its descent. The uncovered part had the appearance of a huge cylinder, caked over and its outline softened by a thick scaly dun-coloured incrustation. It had a diameter of about thirty yards. He approached the mass, surprised at the size and more so at the shape, since most meteorites are rounded more or less completely. It was, however, still so hot from its flight through the air as to forbid his near approach. A stirring noise within its cylinder he ascribed to the unequal cooling of its surface; for at that time it had not occurred to him that it might be hollow.

He remained standing at the edge of the pit that the Thing had made for itself, staring at its strange appearance, astonished chiefly at its unusual shape and colour, and dimly perceiving even then some evidence of design in its arrival. The early morning was wonderfully still, and the sun, just clearing the pine trees towards Weybridge, was already warm. He did not remember hearing any birds that morning, there was certainly no breeze stirring, and the only sounds were the faint movements from within the cindery cylinder. He was all alone on the common.

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

9. Based on evidence from the passage, “The Thing” is most likely:

Passage 5

Then suddenly he noticed with a start that some of the grey clinker, the ashy incrustation that covered the meteorite, was falling off the circular edge of the end. It was dropping off in flakes and raining down upon the sand. A large piece suddenly came off and fell with a sharp noise that brought his heart into his mouth.

For a minute he scarcely realised what this meant, and, although the heat was excessive, he clambered down into the pit close to the bulk to see the Thing more clearly. He fancied even then that the cooling of the body might account for this, but what disturbed that idea was the fact that the ash was falling only from the end of the cylinder.

And then he perceived that, very slowly, the circular top of the cylinder was rotating on its body. It was such a gradual movement that he discovered it only through noticing that a black mark that had been near him five minutes ago was now at the other side of the circumference. Even then he scarcely understood what this indicated, until he heard a muffled grating sound and saw the black mark jerk forward an inch or so. Then the thing came upon him in a flash. The cylinder was artificial—hollow—with an end that screwed out! Something within the cylinder was unscrewing the top!

“Good heavens!” said Ogilvy. “There’s a man in it—men in it! Half roasted to death! Trying to escape!”

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

10. How did Ogilvy realise that there were living beings inside of “The Thing”?

Passage 5

Then suddenly he noticed with a start that some of the grey clinker, the ashy incrustation that covered the meteorite, was falling off the circular edge of the end. It was dropping off in flakes and raining down upon the sand. A large piece suddenly came off and fell with a sharp noise that brought his heart into his mouth.

For a minute he scarcely realised what this meant, and, although the heat was excessive, he clambered down into the pit close to the bulk to see the Thing more clearly. He fancied even then that the cooling of the body might account for this, but what disturbed that idea was the fact that the ash was falling only from the end of the cylinder.

And then he perceived that, very slowly, the circular top of the cylinder was rotating on its body. It was such a gradual movement that he discovered it only through noticing that a black mark that had been near him five minutes ago was now at the other side of the circumference. Even then he scarcely understood what this indicated, until he heard a muffled grating sound and saw the black mark jerk forward an inch or so. Then the thing came upon him in a flash. The cylinder was artificial—hollow—with an end that screwed out! Something within the cylinder was unscrewing the top!

“Good heavens!” said Ogilvy. “There’s a man in it—men in it! Half roasted to death! Trying to escape!”

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

11. Why is the black mark on top of the cylinder important in the passage?

Passage 5

Then suddenly he noticed with a start that some of the grey clinker, the ashy incrustation that covered the meteorite, was falling off the circular edge of the end. It was dropping off in flakes and raining down upon the sand. A large piece suddenly came off and fell with a sharp noise that brought his heart into his mouth.

For a minute he scarcely realised what this meant, and, although the heat was excessive, he clambered down into the pit close to the bulk to see the Thing more clearly. He fancied even then that the cooling of the body might account for this, but what disturbed that idea was the fact that the ash was falling only from the end of the cylinder.

And then he perceived that, very slowly, the circular top of the cylinder was rotating on its body. It was such a gradual movement that he discovered it only through noticing that a black mark that had been near him five minutes ago was now at the other side of the circumference. Even then he scarcely understood what this indicated, until he heard a muffled grating sound and saw the black mark jerk forward an inch or so. Then the thing came upon him in a flash. The cylinder was artificial—hollow—with an end that screwed out! Something within the cylinder was unscrewing the top!

“Good heavens!” said Ogilvy. “There’s a man in it—men in it! Half roasted to death! Trying to escape!”

Source: HG Wells (1897) War of the Worlds

12. Which of the following best describes Ogilvy’s emotions as he realises that there are men inside of “The Thing”?

Passage 6

A quick-thinking foot doctor ended up saving the life of an airplane passenger after he followed his instincts and disobeyed an order from airline officials on the ground.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg had been on an American Airlines flight from Reno, Nevada to Chicago last week when a passenger in his mid-60s fell unconscious.

As a podiatrist—a doctor that specializes in the foot and ankle—Nirenberg was one of the only medically-trained passengers on board the flight.

Aided by a retired nurse, Nirenberg leapt into action and rushed to help the unresponsive patient. Upon appraising the passenger’s health, he and the nurse spent the next 40 minutes giving the man CPR and monitoring his vitals on a portable EKG while the plane changed course for an emergency landing in Denver.

“After almost 30 years of taking courses to re-certify in CPR, this was the first time I needed to use it,” Nirenberg told Good News Network.

At one point, an American Airlines doctor who was communicating with the flight crew from the ground told Nirenberg not to apply an IV—but thankfully; the podiatrist opted to ignore the order.

“I and the nurse knew an IV needed to be put in and when the crew member said the doctor on the phone didn’t want an IV put in, we just looked at each other like ‘that makes no sense’ and I said to her, ‘he needs an IV’ and she agreed and we kept going,” he told GNN. “I knew if the man’s condition worsened, the EMTs would need an IV and we could have this ready for them. That time could mean the difference between life and death.”

Source: Corbey, McKinley – Foot Doctor Saves Passenger’s Life by Following His Instincts and Ignoring Orders From the Ground, Good News Network

13. Why did the doctor ignore the advice from the ground?

Passage 6

A quick-thinking foot doctor ended up saving the life of an airplane passenger after he followed his instincts and disobeyed an order from airline officials on the ground.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg had been on an American Airlines flight from Reno, Nevada to Chicago last week when a passenger in his mid-60s fell unconscious.

As a podiatrist—a doctor that specializes in the foot and ankle—Nirenberg was one of the only medically-trained passengers on board the flight.

Aided by a retired nurse, Nirenberg leapt into action and rushed to help the unresponsive patient. Upon appraising the passenger’s health, he and the nurse spent the next 40 minutes giving the man CPR and monitoring his vitals on a portable EKG while the plane changed course for an emergency landing in Denver.

“After almost 30 years of taking courses to re-certify in CPR, this was the first time I needed to use it,” Nirenberg told Good News Network.

At one point, an American Airlines doctor who was communicating with the flight crew from the ground told Nirenberg not to apply an IV—but thankfully; the podiatrist opted to ignore the order.

“I and the nurse knew an IV needed to be put in and when the crew member said the doctor on the phone didn’t want an IV put in, we just looked at each other like ‘that makes no sense’ and I said to her, ‘he needs an IV’ and she agreed and we kept going,” he told GNN. “I knew if the man’s condition worsened, the EMTs would need an IV and we could have this ready for them. That time could mean the difference between life and death.”

Source: Corbey, McKinley – Foot Doctor Saves Passenger’s Life by Following His Instincts and Ignoring Orders From the Ground, Good News Network

14. Which is the most likely explanation as to why the doctor never had to use his CPR skills in the thirty years prior?

Passage 6

A quick-thinking foot doctor ended up saving the life of an airplane passenger after he followed his instincts and disobeyed an order from airline officials on the ground.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg had been on an American Airlines flight from Reno, Nevada to Chicago last week when a passenger in his mid-60s fell unconscious.

As a podiatrist—a doctor that specializes in the foot and ankle—Nirenberg was one of the only medically-trained passengers on board the flight.

Aided by a retired nurse, Nirenberg leapt into action and rushed to help the unresponsive patient. Upon appraising the passenger’s health, he and the nurse spent the next 40 minutes giving the man CPR and monitoring his vitals on a portable EKG while the plane changed course for an emergency landing in Denver.

“After almost 30 years of taking courses to re-certify in CPR, this was the first time I needed to use it,” Nirenberg told Good News Network.

At one point, an American Airlines doctor who was communicating with the flight crew from the ground told Nirenberg not to apply an IV—but thankfully; the podiatrist opted to ignore the order.

“I and the nurse knew an IV needed to be put in and when the crew member said the doctor on the phone didn’t want an IV put in, we just looked at each other like ‘that makes no sense’ and I said to her, ‘he needs an IV’ and she agreed and we kept going,” he told GNN. “I knew if the man’s condition worsened, the EMTs would need an IV and we could have this ready for them. That time could mean the difference between life and death.”

Source: Corbey, McKinley – Foot Doctor Saves Passenger’s Life by Following His Instincts and Ignoring Orders From the Ground, Good News Network

15. Why was the nurse an important figure in this story?

Passage 7:

What Is the main reason sales have decreased?