College test english 3 pptx

CHAPTER 3 • LearningExpress Skill Builders 54

more than the literal details to appreciate the attitudes

and emotions conveyed in the writing.

As soon as she sat down on the airplane,

Rachel almost began to regret telling the travel

agent that she wanted an exotic and romantic

vacation. As the plane hurled toward Rio de

Janeiro, she read the information on Carnival

that was in the pocket of the seat in front of

hers. The very definition of Carnival made her

shiver. It was from the Latin carnavale,

meaning a farewell to the flesh. She was

searching for excitement, but had no intention

of bidding her skin good-bye. Carnival, the

brochure informed her, originated in Europe in

the Middle Ages and served as a break from the

requirements of daily life and society. Most of

all, it allowed the hard-working and

desperately poor serfs the opportunity to

ridicule their wealthy and normally humorless

masters. Rachel, a middle manager in a

computer firm, wasn’t entirely sure whether

she was more serf or master. Should she be

making fun, or would others be mocking her?

She was strangely relieved when the plane

landed, as though her fate were decided.

Rachel chewed on her lower lip as she stood

before the mirror in her hotel room, choosing

first one dress then another, trying to decide

which outfit was the most serf-like. Nothing in

her dress for success seminar had prepared her

for this all-important decision. Finally, wearing

her brightest blouse and skirt, she headed for

the street, determined to find adventure.

1. The main idea of this passage is

a. life in Rio de Janeiro

b. a brief history of Carnival

c. a traveler on an exciting vacation

d. dress is an important decision at Carnival

2. Rachel was nervous on the airplane because she

a. was afraid to fly.

b. was taking a risk and trying something

very new.

c. forgot her traveler’s checks and had no

other money.

d. was worried she would lose her luggage.

3. The passage implies that Rachel

a. is traveling alone.

b. takes a vacation every year.

c. has never traveled abroad before.

d. speaks Portugese.

4. According to the passage, Carnival

a. lasts for several days.

b. originated in Europe.

c. occurs in February.

d. is famous for good food.

5. Which of these sentences would most logically

begin the next paragraph of this story?

a. Settling herself comfortably at a table in

the hotel coffee shop, Rachel began writ￾ing a postcard to her mother.

b. Later that night, Rachel tossed in her bed,

worried about the money she was spend￾ing.

c. Rachel entered the huge office building

and rode the elevator to the twelfth floor,

the location of her 9:00 business meeting.

d. As soon as she left the hotel, the sights

and sounds of Carnival surrounded

Rachel.

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