[9] Reading practice 2
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to
indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 20 to 24.
Broadcasting, perhaps the greatest invention of the last century, has come a long way; and the
BBC is one of the most important and trusted broadcasters in the world today.
The British Broadcasting Company was established in 1922. Four years later, it changed its
name to the British Broadcasting Corporation, better known as the BBC. It was not the
world's first radio station. There had already been public radio broadcasts in Britain before
1920.
From the beginning the BBC was a public service radio, but also an independent operator. In
the early days of BBC radio, there was not a lot of news on the radio. There were music,
drama, discussions and children's programs; but news was not broadcast until after 7 p.m., to
avoid competition with the newspapers!
In 1936 the BBC began the world's first television service. Only a few thousand people in
London could receive those first flickering images. Nevertheless, people liked what they saw,
and as the number of transmitters increased, more and more people went out to buy new
television sets. In 1937, tennis was broadcast from Wimbledon for the first time. Then in
1938, football's Cup Final could be seen, live, by hundreds of thousands of people for the first
time ever. Since 1946, the BBC has become one of Britain's most famous institutions. Today
it has several national television channels, lots of radio channels and a growing number of
international services.
Question 1: What is the passage mainly about?
A. The development of the BBC
B. The limitations of the BBC
C. The founder of the BBC
D. The aims of the BBC
Question 2: The word "established" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to______.
A. shared B. heard C. formed D. moved
Question 3: According to paragraph 3, all of the following programs were broadcast on BBC
radio EXCEPT_______
A. music B. tennis C. discussions D. drama
Question 4: According to paragraph 4, which of the following was the reason why more
people bought new TV sets?
A. Tennis was broadcast for the first time.
B. There was an increase in the number of transmitters.
C. They could receive the first flickering images.
D. They could see football's Cup Final.
Question 5: The word "it" in paragraph 4 refers to________.
A. Britain B. channel C. the BBC D. service
Read the following sign or notice and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your sheet to
indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions
Question 6: What does the sign say?
A. Anyone can park here without any restrictions.
B. Only customers are allowed to park in these spaces.
C. Parking is not allowed in this area at all.
D. There are no rules for parking; it is open for
everyone.
Question 7: What does the notice say?
A. You must have permission to use the phone in this area.
B. You may not turn off your phone if you are not using it.
C. Cell phones are only in emergency use here.
D. Cell phones must be turned off or silenced in this area.
Question 8: What does the sign say?
A. This area is safe with no electrical problems or
dangers.
B. There is high voltage electrictiy in this area; be
very careful.
C. All electrical equipment is turned off and not
working
D. The voltage here is low and it is safe to touch the
equipment.
