READING COMPREHENSION-4

In 1920, after some thirty nine years of problems with disease, high costs and politics, the Panama Canal was officially opened, finally linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by allowing ships to pass through the fifty-mile canal zone of traveling some seven thousand miles around Cape Horn. It takes a ship approximately eight hours to complete the trip through the canal and costs and average of fifteen thousand dollars, one tenth of what it would cost an average ship to round the Horn, More than fifteen thousand ships pass through its locks each year.

The French initiated the project but sold their rights to the united states, which actually began the construction of the project. The latter was to control it until the end of the twentieth century when Panama was to take over its duties.

Questions:

Q1. Who currently controls the Panama Canal ?

        (a) France                                    (b) United States

        (c) Panama                                  (d) Canal Zone

Q2. The word "locks " is closest in meaning to..........

        (a) securities                                 (b) latches

        (c) lakes                                         (d) canal gates

Q3. On the average, how much should it cost a ship to travel arround Cape Horn?

        (a) $1,500                                   (b) $15,000

        (c) $150,000                              (d) $1,500,000

Q4. In what year was construction begun on the canal?

        (a) 1881                                       (b) 1920

        (c) 1939                                      (d) 1999

Q5. It can be inferred from this passage that...........

        (a) the canal is a costly project which should be re-valuated

        (b) despite all the problems involved, the project is beneficial

        (c) many captains prefer to sail around Cape Horn because it is less expensive

        (d) problems have made it necessary for three governments to control the canal over the years

Q6.The word "linking" is closed in meaning to.............

        (a) controlling                            (b) diapering

        (c) detaching                              (d) joining

Q7."Initiated " is nearest in meaning to.............

        (a) purchased                             (b) launched

        (c) forfeited                                 (d) forced

Q8. All of the following are true except

        (a) it costs so much to pass through the locks because very few ships use them

        (b) the United States received the right to the canal from the France

        (c) a ship can pass through the canal us only eight hours

        (d) passing through the canal saves thousands of miles of travel time around Cape Horn.

Answers

Q1-(b)

Q2-(d)

Q3-(c)

Q4-(a)

Q5-(b)

Q7-(b)

Q8-(a)