READING PASSAGE 6

In the West, cartoons are used chiefly to make people laugh. The important feature of all these
cartoons is the joke and the element of surprise which is contained. Even though it is very funny, a good
cartoon is always based on close observation of a particular feature of life and usually has a serious
purpose.
Cartoons in the West have been associated with political and social matters for many years. In
wartime, for example, they proved to be an excellent way of spreading propaganda. Nowadays cartoons
are often used to make short, sharp comments on politics and governments as well as on a variety of
social matters. In this way, the modern cartoon has become a very powerful force in influencing people in
Europe and the United States.
Unlike most American and European cartoons, however, many Chinese cartoon drawings in the past
have also attempted to educate people, especially those who could not read and write. Such cartoons
about the lives and sayings of great men in China have proved extremely useful in bringing education to
illiterate and semi-literate people throughout China. Confucius, Mencius and Laozi have all appeared in
very interesting stories presented in the form of cartoons. The cartoons themselves have thus served to
illustrate the teachings of the Chinese sages in a very attractive way.
In this sense, many Chinese cartoons are different from Western cartoons in so far as they do not
depend chiefly on telling jokes. Often, there is nothing to laugh at when you see Chinese cartoons. This is
not their primary aim. In addition to commenting on serious political and social matters, Chinese cartoons
have aimed at spreading the traditional Chinese thoughts and culture as widely as possible among the
people.
Today, however, Chinese cartoons have an added part to play in spreading knowledge. They offer a
very attractive and useful way of reaching people throughout the world, regardless of the particular
country in which they live. Thus, through cartoons, the thoughts and teachings of the old Chinese
philosophers and sages can now reach people who live in such countries as Britain, France, America,
Japan, Malaysia or Australia and who are unfamiliar with the Chinese culture.
Until recently, the transfer of knowledge and culture has been overwhelmingly from the West to the
East and not vice versa. By means of cartoons, however, publishing companies in Taiwan, Hong Kong
and Singapore are now having success in correcting this imbalance between the East and the West.
Cartoons can overcome language barriers in all foreign countries. The vast increase in the popularity
of these cartoons serves to illustrate the truth of Confucius’s famous saying “One picture is worth a
thousand words.”

1. Which of the following clearly characterizes Western cartoons?

A. Originality, freshness, and astonishment.
B. Humour, unexpectedness, and criticism.
C. Enjoyment, liveliness, and carefulness.
D. Seriousness, propaganda, and attractiveness.
2. Chinese cartoons have been useful as an important means of______.
A. educating ordinary people
B. political propaganda in wartime
C. amusing people all the time
D. spreading Western ideas
3. The major differences between Chinese cartoons and Western cartoons come from their ______.
A. nationalities
B. styles
 C. values
D. purposes
4. The pronoun “this” in paragraph 4 mostly refers to ______.
A. a funny element
B. a piece of art
C. a propaganda campaign
D. an educational purpose
5. The passage is intended to present ______.
A. an outline of Western cartoons and Chinese cartoons
B. a description of cartoons of all kinds the world over
C. an opinion about how cartoons entertain people
D. a contrast between Western cartoons and Chinese cartoons
6. In general, Chinese cartoons are now aiming at ______.
A. bringing education to illiterate and semi-literate people in the world
B. illustrating the truth of Chinese great men’s famous sayings
C. spreading the Chinese ideas and cultural values throughout the world
D. disseminating traditional practices in China and throughout the world
7. The word “imbalance” in paragraph 6 refers to ______.
A. the discrimination between the West culture and the East culture
B. the influence of the East cartoons over the West cartoons
C. the dominant cultural influence of the West over the East
D. the mismatch between the East cartoons and the West cartoons
8. Which of the following is most likely the traditional subject of Chinese cartoons?
A. Jokes and other kinds of humour in political and social matters.
B. The stories and features of the lives of great men the world over.
C. The illiterate and semi-literate people throughout China.
D. The philosophies and sayings of ancient Chinese thinkers.
9. According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. Cartoons can serve various purposes.
B. Cartoons will replace other forms of writing.
C. Western cartoons always have a serious purpose.
D. Language barriers restricted cartoons.
10. Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. Cartoons as a Way of Educating People
B. Chinese Cartoons and Western Cartoons
C. A Very Powerful Force in Influencing People
D. An Excellent Way of Spreading Propaganda
 The Organic Health Centre

Do you have cancer? Have the doctors given you no hope? I can help you. My name is Benjamun
Harrison. I am the founder of the Organic Health Centre. My health centre offers the most advanced
treatments for curing cancer and other diseases.
After traveling around the world for nine years looking for a cure for myself, I was able to learn the
causes of cancer. Now, I can help others by offering them a cure. This cure is available only at the
Organic Health Centre.
As a result of my experiences, I realized that Western doctors are just frauds who are unqualified to
help their patients. I, on the other hand, have learned how to use the best herbs ad organic foods to heal
people, and I am qualified to help you. That’s why doctors will tell you not to trust me. They know that I
can do something they can’t do.
My program focuses on the whole body. It works on the cause of the cancer. [A] I will put you on the
healthiest diet available. [B] This diet uses the best herb and plant products I gathered from my travels
around the world. [C] All of the products I use are natural, so they won’t make you feel sick. [D] After
one to six months on this diet, you will be cures of cancer.

Here are some of the programs my centre offers:

PROGRAM A: PROGRAM B: PROGRAM C:
For all types of cancers For cancer found early For all other diseases
Stay at my clinic for one Complete a sixty-day program Complete a ninety day
month of treatment. Then in your home. Eat a special diet program in your home. Eat
continue the treatment in with herbs and other healthy a special diet with herbs
your home for two more foods. Also follow an exercise and other healthy foods.
months. schedule.

I am willing to travel to your home to teach you how to follow the program. And, if you would like, I
have testimonials for you to read. These letters are filled with words of praise and thanks to me from my
patients.
I offer a money-back guarantee if the program fails. If my treatments don’t work, you will get back
100% of your money. How can I do this? It is my guarantee to you that my treatment works. A doctor
will tell you that cancer can’t be cured. It’s the doctors who are the frauds.

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Cancer and other diseases can be cured by Harrison’s treatments.
B. Harrison traveled around the world to find a cure for cancer.
C. Harrison’s program focuses on the whole body.
D. Western doctors do not trust Harrison.
2. In paragraph 1, the word founder is closest in meaning to _____.
A. doctor B. creator C. patient D. employee
3. Which of the following is true of Benjamin Harrison?
A. He says that he is a medical doctor.
B. He thinks that cancer can be cured with herbs alone.
C. He believe that Western doctors are well qualified.
D. He claims that he knows the causes of cancer.
4. In paragraph 2, what can be inferred about Harrison?
A. He spoke with many Western doctors.
B. He successfully treated his own cancer.
C. He discovered a cure for cancer at his clinic.
D. He attended medical schools around the world.
5. In paragraph 3, what does Harrison mean by something?
A. Cure cancer and other diseases B. Make false claims about cancer
C. Offer a money-back guarantee D. Recommend a healthy diet
6. In paragraph 3, what is the author’s primary purpose?
A. To compare Easter and Western doctors
B. To explain how natural foods cure cancer
C. To convince the readers that he is qualified
D. To teach the readers about Western medicine
7. Which of the following is NOT one of Harrison’s claims?
A. Cancer and other diseases can be cured.
B. He is a trained medical doctor.
C. Western doctors are frauds.
D. His treatments work.
8. In paragraph 7, the word “guarantee” is closest in meaning to _____.
A. argument B. promise C. disease D. cure
9. In paragraph 7, what does the world ‘this’ refer to?
A. Believe other doctors are frauds B. Say that my treatments work
C. Cure cancer and other illnesses D. Give back all of your money
10. Where should the following sentence best fit?
On the contrary, they will make you feel better.
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]
11. Which of the following express the essential information in this sentence from the passage?
I, on the other hand, have learned how to use the best herbs and organic foods to
heal people, and I am qualified to help you.
A. Unlike Western doctors, I can cure your cancer with natural treatments.
B. In contrast to Western doctors, I can cure any disease you have.
C. Unlike the treatment used by Western doctors, mine are natural.
D. Like Western doctors, I can cure your cancer with natural treatments.
 Code switching

Code switching is when people switch, or change from one language to another while speaking. They
might begin a conversation in one language and then, later in the conversation, switch to another. They
might also begin a sentence in one language but end it in another. Or they might insert a word or phrase
from another language. When and why people codeswitch depends on the speakers and the situation.
One reason people code switch is to show social closeness. Imagine that two women meet at a party in
New York. Gabriela is Brazilian, and Pamelia is British. In their conversation, Pamela asks:
Pamela: Where are you from?
Gabriela: Rio.
Pamela: Really? Uma cidade muito bonita [A beautiful city]. I was there last year.
Gabriela: Oh, do you speak Portuguese?
Pamela: Um pouco [only a little] …
Here, Pamela uses a little Portuguese in order to show closeness or friendliness to Gabriela.
On the other hand, people also code switch to create social distance. [A] Sometimes this happens in
immigrant homes in the United States where the children can speak English, but the parents understand
only the language of their native country. [B] Children can code switch to keep their parents from
understand everything they say. [C] Likewise, parents may code switch when they share a language that
their children do not understand. [D]
One final reason that people code switch is lack of knowledge about a language or lack of attention to
one’s language. Imagine a teenage girl living in a Latino community in Los Angeles. Talking with her
friends, she says, “Esperate [Wait a minute] What did you say???” It’s possible that the teenager was not
trying to show social closeness or distance. Perhaps she didn’t know how to express the second idea in
Spanish. Most likely, she may simply have switched to English without paying much attention to which
language she was using.
Code switching occur between people who share more than one common language; however, it can
also occur between people who share a language and a dialect, or variation, of that language. A person
may use one dialect at home and then switch to another dialect at school or work. One example is the way
teenagers use slang when talking to their friends, “Gotta bounce. Me’n’ the crew’re going’ shoppin’ for
some mad phat gear,” Gotta bounce means “I have to leave, the crew means “my friends,” and mad phat
gear means “nice clothes.” Therefore, the teen is saying “I’m going shopping with my friends,” but only
speakers of both English and this teen dialect can understand. Teens use their dialect because it helps
them to show that they fit in with their friends. It also shows that they are separate from their parents.
Regardless of the situation, there are two important rules for code switching. First, the speakers have
to know both language or dialects – at least well enough to follow the changes. More importantly, the
switches have to be grammatical. For example, the sentence “Tengo que do my homework” follows the
subject + verb + object grammar rules in both Spanish and English.
One day you may be riding on a train listening to the people next to you having a conversation. If you
can understand only 50 percent of what they are saying, perhaps they are code switching – to show each
other closeness – or – perhaps to stop you from listening in on their conversation!

1. What is the main idea of this text?

A. Showing closeness between speakers
B. Hiding your idea from other people
C. Learning a new or foreign language
D. Switching between language
2. Why does the author use the examples of Pamela speaking Portuguese?
A. To show code switching to create closeness between speakers
B. To show code switching to create social distance
C. To show code switching with a dialect or a language
D. To show code switching by an immigrant to the U.S.
3. The word dialect can best be defined as _____.
A. a language used by teens
B. a variation of a language
C. a sentence in two languages
D. a foreign language
4. In paragraph 5, why does the author use the sentence, “Code switching occur between people who
share more than one common language; however, it can also occur between people who share a
language and a dialect, or variation, of that language.”?
A. To make a transition B. To summarize an idea
C. To give an example D. To start a conclusion
5. According to the passage, what is the function of slang among some teenagers?
A. To share a common language with their parents
B. To create social distance from one another
C. To express closeness with one another
D. To show closeness with their parents
6. In paragraph 6, the phrase Regardless of the situation is closest in meaning to _____.
A. in all cases B. in some conversations
C. in some locations D. in all languages
7. What can the reader infer from paragraph 5 and 6?
A. Young people code switch a lot.
B. Americans code switch a lot.
C. Multilingual people code switch a lot.
D. Parents code switch a lot.
8. What adjective best describe the author’s tone in paragraph 7?
A. Hopeful B. Disappointed C. Angry D. Humorous
9. Where should the following sentence best fit?
In this case they may code switch to English or a teen dialect of English.
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]
10. Which of the following expresses the essential information in this sentence from the passage?
Code switching occur between people who share more than one common language;
however, it can also occur between people who share a language and a dialect, or
variation, of that language.
A. People can code switch between French and Spanish, but they cannot use a dialect, such as slang.
B. Code switching can be done in two ways: either between two languages or between a language and
a variation of it.
C. Speakers who code switch are creating a dialect, or variation, of two different languages or types of
language.
D. Code switching happens when two languages or dialects of a language are used by a single
speaker.