Reading comprehension home exercise- 12 , PASSAGE C

Recent technological advances in manned and unmanned undersea vehicles along with breakthroughs in satellite technology and computer equipment have overcome some of the limitations of divers and diving equipment. With a vehicle, divers often became sluggish and their mental concentration was limited. Because of undersea pressure that affected their speech organs, communication among divers was difficult or impossible. But today, most oceanographers make direct observations by means of instruments that are lowered into the ocean, from samples taken from the water, or from photographs made by orbiting satellites. Director observations of the ocean floor are made not only by divers but also by deep-diving submarines and aerial photography. Some of the submarines can dive to depths of more than seven miles and cruise at depths of fifteen thousand feet. In addition, radio- equipped buoys can be operated by remote control in order to transmit information back to land- based laboratories, often via satellite. Particularly important are date about water temperature, currents and weather. Satellite photographs can show the distribution of sea ice, oil slicks, and cloud formations over the ocean. Maps created from satellite pictures can represent the temperature and the color of the ocean’s surface, enabling researchers to study the ocean currents and weather. Furthermore, computers help oceanographers to collect and analyze data from submarines and satellites. By creating a model of the ocean’s movement and characteristics, scientists can predict the patterns and possible effects of the ocean on the environment.

Recently, many oceanographers have been relying more on satellite is and computers than on research ships of even submarine vehicles because they can supply a greater range of information more quickly and more efficiently. Some of mankind’s most serious problems, especially those concerning energy and food. May be solved with the help of observations made possible by this new technology.

1.       With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?

a.       Technological advances in oceanography

b.      Communication among divers

c.       Direct observation of the ocean floor

d.      Undersea vehicles

2.       The word” sluggish “ in line 3 closest in meaning to

a.       Nervous

b.       Confused

c.       Slow moving

d.      Very weak

3.       Divers have had problems in communicating underwater because

a.       The pressure affected their speech organs

b.      The vehicles they used have not been perfected

c.       They did not pronounce clearly

d.      The water destroyed their speech organs.

4.       This passage suggests that the successful exploration of the ocean depends upon

a.       Vehicles as well as divers

b.      Radios that diverse to communicate

c.       Controlling currents and the weather

d.      The limitations of diving equipment

5.       Undersea vehicles

a.       Are too small for a man to fit inside

b.      Are very slow to respond

c.       Have the same limitations that divers have

d.      Make direct observations of the ocean floor

6.       The word “cruse” in line 8 could best be replaced by

a.       Travel at a constant speed

b.      Travel without problems

c.       Stay in  communication

d.      Remain still

7.       How is a radio- equipped buoy operated?

a.       By operators inside the vehicle in the part underwater

b.      By operators outside the vehicle on a ship

c.       By operators outside the  vehicle on a diving platform

d.      By operators outside the vehicle in a laboratory on shore.

8.       Which of the following are NOT shown in satellite photographs?

a.       The temperature  of the ocean’s surface

b.      Cloud formations over the ocean

c.       Presence of oil slicks

d.      The  locations of sea ice

9.        The word “ those” in  the second-last line refers to

a.       Energy and food

b.      Problems

c.       Observations

d.      Vehicles

10.   According to the author, what are some of the problems the underwater studies may eventually resolve?

a.       Weather and temperature control

b.      Food and energy shortages

c.       Transportation and communication problems

d.      Overcrowding and housing problems

Answer:

1.       A

2.       C

3.       A

4.       D

5.       D

6.       B

7.       D

8.       A

9.       B

10.   B