reading comprehension 1. A new skate park has been proposed for Vancouver's Stanley Park. While the plan has had a lot of support from the skate community, residents living close to the area are concerned about he type of youth that it will attract. In spite of skate boarding's popularity, promoted by celebrities such as Tony Hawk, there still remain a number of misconceptions about the sport. It will be interesting to see if the plan goes ahead, and whether or not it helps the sport to __________________________. (a) gain momentum in Asia (b) take the blame for rising crime rates (c) become popular among teens (d) shake its bad reputation 2. In business news, the Canadian dollar has reached 94 cents to the American dollar, a level it has not been at since the 1970s. It has been projected that the Canadian dollar will be on a par with the US dollar before the year's end. This is good news for Canadian businesses, but not as good for Canadians who are working in the United States. _________________ hoping to get a good exchange rate when they transfer their earnings back into Canadian dollars. (a) Many Americans have their jobs in Canada (b) Many Canadians work in the United States (c) Many Americans import from Canada (d) many Canadians invest in the Unites States 3. On average, women spend nearly twice as much as men do on hair products each year. Interestingly, this is due mainly to quantity as opposed to quality. While men spend far less than women, on average, they are more likely to spend more on individual products. When surveyed, men admitted to having little idea what products they need, and are easily swayed by beauty counter attendants to buy higher-end products. Women, on the other hand, are more concerned about value, and ______________________. (a) seek out lower cost items (b) end up buying expensive items (c) refuse to buy any beauty products at all (d) criticize men's lack of judgement 4. Health officials have just announced that the childhood infection known as the mumps has reappeared across the country. While the mumps used to be common, these days it is considered quite rare. Widespread vaccination programs ________________. While in the early 1950s there were 34,000 cases a year, by the 1990s that number that fallen by 99% to 400. Between 2000 and 2004 the number of cases dropped to an average of 87. However, concern about the mumps has resurfaced as an outbreak that began on the east coast gained momentum, spreading westward across the country. (a) have caused the mumps to break out (b) have made children suffer from the mumps (c) have promoted the importance of personal hygiene (d) have all but eliminated it as a childhood disease 5. Throughout the 1860-70s Chinese people risked their lives to build the American railroad, but as soon as the project was completed, America wanted them to leave the country. What followed was a difficult period for Chinese immigrants to America. In spite of being faced with a head tax, personal attacks, and discrimination from the workforce, _________________. Today, Chinese-Americans are an integral part of America's multi-cultural society. integrating old and new world traditions in forming their identities. (a) the Americans developed their affinity (b) some Chinese regretted their decisions (c) the Chinese in America persevered (d) China and America deferred their talk 6. As the US elections near, health care has become one of the biggest 'election issues.' Every candidate has a stance on it, and many have been criticized for wavering in their plans. The issue has gained even more public interest following the release of Michael Moore's new documentary Sicko which highlights some of the cracks in the current American health care system. It is expected that health care ______________________. (a) will garner interests from pharmaceutical companies (b) will be improved tremendously through its reform (c) will be the issue that determines this next election (d) will not be as big a deal as people have expected 7. How much water should we drink in a day? For years, the standard was eight glasses a day. Nutritionists advise drinking a glass of water first think in the morning. Others suggest drinking at least five glasses before noon. The truth is, the number will be different for everyone. The important thing is to __________________. For the most part, our bodies tell us when we need water. If you're feeling fatigued or like a headache is coming on, the chances are that your body needs water. Often time people misread these signs and give their bodies food instead of water. (a) listen to your body (b) drink as much as possible (c) try not to make yourself tired (d) have eight glasses of water per day 8. Many companies are beginning to implement new health care plans for their employees that offer more comprehensive coverage. Most current plans offer limited vision and dental care, and anywhere from 30-70% prescription drug coverage. These plans generally cost approximately $85.00/month, 75% of which is covered by the employer. The more comprehensive plans will cost more on a monthly basis, but offer better coverage which would give people, especially families, greater peace of mind. For most people, a slightly higher monthly payment for full coverage is ________________. (a) a serious letdown (b) a good trade-off (c) a pain in the neck (d) a walk in the park 9. The creators of the cartoon Sough Park have come under criticism for a recent episode that aired which negatively depicts the actor Cam Thomas. The actor has sued the creators, and is fighting to have the episode removed from the season's DVD. This is not the first time the South Park's creators _______________________. Part of the appeal of the cartoon is that it deals with mature themes and often makes politically charged statements. the cartoon-format gives the show a certain innocence, which often acts as a cover for the maturity of the program itself. (a) should apologize to an actor in public (b) came up with a controversial magazine (c) will be found guilty of fraud (d) have upset a well-known media figure 10. As bio diesel becomes a more feasible alternative to oil, an increasing number of food crops _______________________. Corn has been central to the bio diesel project, as it is one of the best crops for ethanol extraction. With global warming on the minds of politicians and voters, bio diesel in and important issue, both for the upcoming election and for environmental reasons. As corn has gained prominence as a producer of bio fuel, corn stocks have skyrocketed as people race to buy into it. (a) may cause global warming (b) are being modified into energy crops (c) are being replaced by corn (d) are being refined to provide wholesome food 11. A recent recall on precut baby carrots has left consumers even more frightened about the foods they consume. This was the third in a series of recalls on packaged vegetables sold in grocery store produce departments. These recalls have made consumers more aware of where their food is coming from, which, in many cases, is miles and miles away. For the most part, very little of the produce available at grocery stores _________________________. What this means is that it has been grown, packaged, and shipped in massive quantities, often picking up bacteria somewhere along the way. (a) needs to be transported (b) comes from abroad (c) has been recalled (d) is produced locally 12. November 7, 2007 To Mr. J. Kelley, This is a final notice. Your September bill of $64.07 is overdue, and must be paid in full immediately. Failure to pay will result in your cellular phone services being disconnected. Once it is disconnected, you will be required to pay $50.00 for reconnection services, if you so desire. If there are any discrepancies in our records, please inform us immediately. If we have not received payment by November 18, 2007, _________________________. Rayman Cellular Services Customer Service Department (a) you should settle the account (b) you will hear from our lawyer (c) we will clear your account (d) we will disconnect your phone 13. Knitting has become a fashionable craft amongst younger women. In cities across North America, 'knitting circles' can be seen in cafes and small pubs. 2007 ' The Year of the Craft' has helped to popularize some older crafts such as knitting, and introduce them to a younger generation. Many young women say they find knitting to be relaxing, which may account for its popularity. Another factor may be the shift in the style industry this year to chunky-knit scarves and toques. As opposed to paying $60 for a hand-knit scarf in a boutique store, young women __________________________. (a) are simply knitting the scarves themselves (b)don't like to get their hands dirty (c) love to show their sensitive, feminine side (d) prefer to buy cheaper machine-knit one 14. Maintaining a proper diet is nearly impossible considering the number of mixed messages coming out of the dieting industry. Diet books are one of the best selling genres of writing. It's not surprising then that the ge