RV 4
Name:
Reading Final Exam Winter 2016
Score:
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READING ONE:
SECTION I Reading Comprehension Answer the questions about the reading passage.
Trendspotting
Trendspotting is the ability to identify a trend (something that is in style or fashionable) at an early
stage. This is an extremely important skill in the business world. The first company that can correctly
identify a new trend (and do something with it) has a competitive edge – an advantage – over other
companies. The person who founded the Starbucks chain of coffeehouses was able to spot a trend – interest
in quality and variety in coffee. Today, people buy Starbucks products in shopping centers, airports, and
supermarkets everywhere. People who invested in Starbucks when it was a new company made a lot of
money. However, when a development in popular culture is new, it’s difficult to distinguish between a fad
(something that will come in style and then go out of style quickly) and a trend. Trendspotters need to ask
themselves: will this become an important global trend, or is it just a passing fad? For example, “Hello Kitty”
began as a fad but became a trend. People who invested their funds in Greenpeace swimsuits, however,
probably regret their decision. Today, no one knows what a Greenpeace swimsuit is. Clearly, they mistook a
fad for a trend and they lost money.
1. If you are a trendspotter, you are skilled at _____. (3 points)
A
B
C
D
founding new businesses
noticing fads
recognizing when something is popular and will stay popular
regretting decisions
2. Trendspotting is important because it _____. (3 points)
A
B
C
D
puts products in supermarkets
can help a business make money
will begin as a fad
provides variety in coffee
SECTION II Strategy Look back at the underlined and italicized words and then do the activity below.
3. To distinguish between two things is to
A
B
C
D
. (3 points)
know the difference between them
invest in them
make a mistake
to develop them in popular culture
4. When a person invests funds, he is investing _____.
A
B
C
D
swimsuits
a fad
money
time
(3 points)
Topics and Details. Directions: Look back at the paragraphs to answer the questions.
5. What is the topic of this paragraph? (3 points)
A
B
C
D
the Starbucks trend
spending money on fads
investing in “Hello Kitty”
recognizing trends
6. What details about the topic does the paragraph provide? (Choose more than one) (3 points)
A
B
C
D
Advice about purchasing swimsuits
The difference between a fad and a trend
The disadvantages of trendspotting
Examples of trends such as Starbucks coffee
READING TWO:
Global Trade
SECTION I Reading Comprehension Answer the questions about the reading passage.
A
For the first time in history, almost the entire world is now sharing the same economic
system. Since the late 1980s, capitalism – a system where businesses belong more to individuals
instead of the government – has spread to most corners of the world. The foundation of a capitalist
economy is free trade, also called “open trade.” Open trade means that countries can import goods
without special taxes. Open trade has advantages and disadvantages.
B
There are benefits of open trade for both rich and poor countries. For developed countries
such as Japan and England, free trade brings with it more competition. This in turn brings
advantages such as lower prices and more choices of products for consumers. For developing
countries, open trade means that people have access to essential goods such as food, clothing, and
fuel. An open economic system can be a key to improving people’s lives in both poor and rich
countries because it can improve living conditions.
C
This seems like very good news. Open trade means that in good economic times, poor
countries benefit as much as rich countries do. However, some people point out that the gap between
rich and poor – the economic difference between them – is much wider than it was in the past. This
is not a benefit. A former U. S. president once put it this way: “Globalization, as defined by rich
people, … is a very nice thing … You are talking about cell phones, you are talking about
computers.” However, more than half of the people worldwide don’t own these items. In fact,
according to the World Bank, more than 1.1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day.
D
It may sound as if the situation is hopeless for developing countries – but perhaps not. Some
developing countries have had economic success in global trade. This is because their governments
have plans for different ways of creating money. For example, some governments don’t focus only
on agriculture – they also support manufacturing businesses or industries like transportation and
communication. In brief, it is possible for the government in a developing country to help their
country succeed in free trade.
7. Capitalism is
A
B
C
D
. (3 points)
the best kind of economic system
the same as open trade
the system of the entire world
a system where the government isn’t in charge of all businesses
8. Free trade is _____. (3 points)
A
B
C
D
the base of capitalism
inexpensive
a special kind of tax
the first time in history
9. Open trade is good for developed countries because _____. (3 points)
A
B
C
D
the gap between rich and poor gets bigger
there is more competition and more choice for consumers
price increases and access to essential goods
they need essential goods
10. Open trade is good for developing countries because _____
A
B
C
D
(3 points)
it brings higher prices
there is more competition
there are no taxes in the country
living conditions can get better
11. The gap between rich people and poor people _____. (3 points)
A
B
C
D
is bigger today
is smaller today
was bigger in the past
will grow
12. From Paragraph C: Open trade means that in good economic times, poor countries benefit as much
as rich countries do.
What part of speech is benefit? (2 points)
A
B
C
D
noun
verb
adjective
adverb
In this sentence, what does benefit probably mean? (2 points)
A
B
C
D
advantage
insurance
gain
lose
13. From Paragraph D: For example, some governments don’t focus only on agriculture – they also support
manufacturing businesses or industries like transportation and communication. .
What part of speech is focus? (2 points)
A
B
C
D
noun
verb
adjective
adverb
The word focus in paragraph D is closest in meaning to
A
B
C
D
.
(2 points)
prepare for
emphasis
give attention to
central point
Topics and Details. Directions: Look back at the paragraphs to answer the questions.
14. What is the topic of Paragraph B? (3 points)
A Japan and England
B poor countries
C advantages of free trade
D developed countries
15. What details about the topic does the paragraph provide? (Choose more than one) (3 points)
A
B
C
D
affluent countries benefit from more competition
developing countries benefit from lower prices
the people in developing countries get free food and clothing
people in poor countries have more access to staples
16. What is the topic of Paragraph C? (3 points)
A additional benefits of free trade
B globalization is a nice thing
C free trade has disadvantages as well as advantages
D free trade makes all countries equal
17. What details about the topic does the paragraph provide? (Choose more than one) (3 points)
A
B
C
D
Most people in the world have cell phones
the difference between rich people and poor people is wider than it used to be
the World Bank gives 1.1 billion people a dollar every day
when global economy is good, both developed and developing countries benefit
18. What is the topic of Paragraph D? (3 points)
A
B
C
D
developing countries will never succeed at open trade
residents of a developing country must plan for how they’ll make money
the government of a developing country can help the country’s economic situation improve
agricultural development in rich countries will always be better than in poor countries
19. What details about the topic does the paragraph provide? (Choose more than one) (3 points)
A
B
C
D
A capitalist country always succeeds in open trade.
A successful economy is more likely if a country has different ways of making money.
Developed countries can help developing countries trade.
It is possible for developing countries to succeed at global trade.
Understanding Pronoun Referents. Directions: Look back at the reading to find the meaning of the
following pronouns/possessive adjectives (bold in the reading). (2 points each)
20. Paragraph B, line 2: it
21. Paragraph B, line 6: it
22. Paragraph C, line 3: them
23. Paragraph D, line 2: their
24. Paragraph D, line 4: they
You are finished!