TEST 1

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and
Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The
most famous of these eruptions occurred in A. D. 79.

The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption,
although one account unearthed by archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had
disturbed the celestial calm during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano
poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city and
filling in the harbor with coagulated lava.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii.
Sparks from the burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of the city
were destroyed in the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction.
Poisonous sulphuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the
atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people.

Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the
behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist dissects a specimen animal,
scientist have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography. For
instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and raised the level of the beach along the Bay
of Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a
huge tidal wave that affected the world's climate. In addition to making these investigations,
archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water to wash
away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle bones with acrylic paint, scientists have been
able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents.
Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of
classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its tragic consequences have provided us with a wealth of
data about the effects that volcanoes can have on the surrounding area. Today volcanologists can
locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction of cities and cultures.

15. Herculaneum and its harbor were buried under ___lava.

A. liquid B. solid C. flowing D. gas E. answer not available

16. The poisonous gases were not ___ in the air.

A. able to float B. visible C. able to evaporate D. invisible E. able to condense

17. Scientists analyzed data about Vesuvius in the same way that a zoologist ___ a
specimen.
A. describes in detail B. studies by cutting apart C. photographs D. chart E. answer not
available

18. ____have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused a tidal wave.

A. Scientist who study oceans B. Scientist who study atmospheric conditions C. Scientist who
study ash D. Scientist who study animal behavior E. Answer not available in article

19. Scientist have used ___water to wash away volcanic ash from the skeletons of victims.

A. bottled B. volcanic C. purified D. sea E. fountain

TEST 2

Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England wanted a share of the
wealth that Spain had been taking from the lands it had claimed in the Americas.

Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy, Sir Francis Drake, to
raid Spanish ships and towns. Though these raids were on a small scale, Drake achieved
dramatic success, adding gold and silver to England's treasury and diminishing Spain's
omnipotence.

Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries. Whereas Spain was Roman
Catholic, most of England had become Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the
throne and make England a Catholic country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to retaliate
against England's theft of his gold and silver, King Philip began to build his fleet of warships, the
Armada, in January 1586.

Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new warships, he marshaled
one hundred and thirty sailing vessels of all types and recruited more than nineteen thousand
robust soldiers and eight thousand sailors. Although some of his ships lacked guns and others
lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced that his Armada could withstand any battle with
England.

The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9,1588, but bad weather forced it
back to port. The voyage resumed on July 22 after the weather became more stable.

The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English ships in battle off the
coast of Plymouth, England, first on July 31 and again on August 2. The two battles left Spain
vulnerable, having lost several ships and with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the
Armada lay at anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover, England sent eight burning ships
into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked on one side, the Spanish ships could

only drift away, their crews in panic and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English
attacked again on August 8.
Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet suffered extensive damage.
During the eight hours of battle, the Armada drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At
the moment when it seemed that the Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the
wind shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North Sea. The Spaniards recognized the
superiority of the English fleet and returned home, defeated.

20. Sir Francis Drake added wealth to the treasury and diminished Spain's ____.

A. unlimited power B. unrestricted growth C. territory D. treaties E. answer not available in

21. Philip recruited many ___soldiers and sailors.

A. warlike B. strong C. accomplished D. timid E. non experienced

22. The ____ Armada set sail on May 9, 1588.

A. complete B. warlike C. independent D. isolated E. answer not available

23. The two battles left the Spanish fleet ____.

A. open to change B. triumphant C. open to attack D. defeated E. discouraged

24. The Armada was ___ on one side.

A. closed off B. damaged C. alone

D. circled E. answer not available in this article

TEST 3

The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian empire in 490 B.
C. is one of the most famous events in history. Darius, king of the Persian empire, was furious
because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian
domination. In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take
drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire. Persia was ruled by one man.

In Athens, however, all citizens helped to rule. Ennobled by this participation, Athenians were
prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at
Marathon, which freed them from Persian rule. On their way to Marathon, the Persians tried to
fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened citizens of Delos
refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and
did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the Persians next conquered the
city of Etria and captured its people.
Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people went to their sanctuaries. There
they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians
refurbished their weapons and moved to the plain of Marathon, where their little band would
meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked, and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty
Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the
Persians in archery and hand combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian ships and burned them, and
the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died,
compared with only 192 Athenians.

25. Athens had ____the other Greek city-states against the Persians.

A. refused help to B. intervened on behalf of C. wanted to fight D. given orders for all to fight
E. defeated

26. Darius took drastic steps to ___ the rebellious Athenians.

A. weaken B. destroy C. calm D. placate E. answer not available

27. Their participation___to the Athenians.

A. gave comfort B. gave honor C. gave strength D. gave fear E. gave hope

28. The people of Delos did not want to ___ the conquest of Greece.

A. end B. encourage C. think about D. daydream about E. answer not available

29. The Athenians were ___by some soldiers who arrived from Plataea.

A. welcomed B. strengthened C. held D. captured E. answer not available

TEST 4

One of the most intriguing stories of the Russian Revolution concerns the identity of Anastasia,
the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II. During his reign over Russia, the Czar had planned to
revoke many of the harsh laws established by previous czars. Some workers and peasants,
however, clamored for more rapid social reform. In 1918 a group of these people, known as
Bolsheviks, overthrew the government. On July 17 or 18, they murdered the Czar and what was
thought to be his entire family.

Although witnesses vouched that all the members of the Czar's family had been executed, there
were rumors suggesting that Anastasia had survived. Over the years, a number of women

claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia. Perhaps the best –known claimant was Anastasia
Tschaikovsky, who was also known as Anna Anderson.
In 1920, eighteen months after the Czar's execution, this terrified young woman was rescued
from drowning in a Berlin river. She spent two years in a hospital, where she attempted to
reclaim her health and shattered mind. The doctors and nurses thought that she resembled
Anastasia and questioned heer about her background. She disclaimed any connection with the
Czar's family.

Eight years later, though, she claimed that she was Anastasia. She said that she had been rescued
by two Russian soldiers after the Czar and the rest of her family had been killed. Two brothers
named Tschaikovsky had carried her into Romania. She had married one of the brothers, who
had taken her to Berlin and left her there, penniless and without a vocation. Unable to invoke the
aid of her mother's family in Germany, she had tried to drown herself.

During the next few years, scores of the Czar's relatives, ex-servants, and acquaintances
interviewed her. Many of these people said that her looks and mannerisms were evocative of the
Anastasia that they had known. Her grandmother and other relatives denied that she was the real
Anastasia, however. Tried of being accused of fraud, Anastasia immigrated to the United States
in 1928 and took the name Anna Anderson. She still wished to prove that she was Anastasia,
though, and returned to Germany in 1933 to bring suit against her mother's family. There she
declaimed to the court, asserting that she was indeed Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.

In 1957, the court decided that it could neither confirm nor deny Anastasia's identity. Although
we will probably never know whether this woman was the Grand Duchess Anastasia, her search
to establish her identity has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and movies.

33. Some Russian peasants and workers___for social reform.

A. longed B. cried out C. begged D. hoped E. thought much

34. Witnesses ___ that all members of the Czar's family had been executed.

A. gave assurance B. thought C. hoped D. convinced some E. answer not stated

35. Tschaikovsky ____any connection with the Czar's family.

A. denied B. stopped C. noted D. justified E. answer not stated

36. She was unable to ___the aid of her relative.

A. locate B. speak about C. call upon D. identify E. know

37. In court she ___ maintaining that she was Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.

A. finally appeared B. spoke forcefully C. testified D. gave evidence E. answer not stated