Passage 1: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.                                                                                     

Around 5,000 years ago, tea was thought to have originated in China. Entire folklore held that tea was found by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong when leaves from a wild tree fell into some boiling water in a kettle. He liked the cool taste of the final drink although tea was not a regular drink at that time. Later, it became well-known when the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) ruled China. At first, tea was used for medical purposes. Because of the rapid spread of tea culture and the development of intricate tea ceremonies, it became extremely important in Chinese culture.

Then, the Japanese monks who visited China for studies brought tea seeds to Japan. The Japanese created their distinctive tea rituals. They also thought that the tea was a symbol of calmness and peace.

Later, the Portuguese and Dutch traders introduced tea to Europe in the seventeenth century. It gained popularity among the higher classes very rapidly, especially in Britain. To supply the rising demand, the British established tea plantations in Sri Lanka and India. They made the trade of tea more popular. Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world today, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Passage 2: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.                                                                                      

In the year 1876, the inventor and scientist Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone. Bell also was a teacher who used to teach the deaf. The telephone was developed as a result of his work on the harmonic telegraph. On March 10, 1876, Bell contacted Thomas Watson, his assistant to show him his great invention. This was the first time the telephone was successfully demonstrated.

The new device that Bell invented transformed communication forever. Speaking over long distances was possible for those who lived far away for the first time. The telephone soon became a necessary device in homes and workplaces all across the world. Telephone networks were widely established in North America and Europe by the early 1900s. The switchboard and the rotary dial are two examples of related technologies that were developed as a result of the invention.

The telephone had a significant social impact. It altered how individuals communicated, transacted business, and got information. Rapid communication over vast distances promoted increased connectivity and economic expansion. In today’s world, telephones are no longer used to send and receive phone calls only. With the evolution of new technologies, many features have been integrated into modern smartphones which made the smartphone part of our daily lives.

Passage 3: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.                                                                                     

The Industrial Revolution was a major turning point that forever changed the course of human history. It began in Britain in the late 18th century. During that period rural areas transformed to become industrial and urban centers. People used to produce textiles manually before the Industrial Revolution. After the Industrial Revolution, people used machines which made a great impact on speeding up the production process.

Factories used water sources to empower machines. Then James Watt created the steam engine which impacted all aspects of life including factories, land and water transportation. As for the factories, the production boosted and doubled. The steam engine was also used in ships, cars, and trains which moved people and goods faster and easier.

The Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization. A large number of people in the rural areas rushed to live in the cities searching for better job opportunities. That resulted in negative conditions; cities became overcrowded and poorly sanitized. However, the positive impacts of the Industrial Revolution outweigh the negative ones. Living standards improved for many. Now, people receive better health care and higher wages which enable them to buy goods.

The Industrial Revolution also affected social life. Before, feudal lords, or land owners, occupied a high rank in the society. During the Industrial Revolution, another wealthy class emerged, the capitalists contrasted with the workers. The capitalists were the factory owners who had a great influence on social life. As for workers, they began to form labor unions to protect their rights.

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution had far-reaching effects. It was the cornerstone of the modern industrial economy and introduced technological innovations that continue to shape the world.

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True/False/Not Given Questions:

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?

• TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
• FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
• NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

Sentence Completion Questions:

Complete the following sentences with one word from the passage.