Page 1

PASSAGE 20

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

correct answer to each of the questions.

Whales are the largest animals in the world, and the gentlest creatures we know. Although the whale is

very huge, it is not hindered at all by its size when it is in the water. Whales have tails that end like

flippers. With just a gentle flick, it can propel itself forward. The skin of a whale is so smooth that it does

not create any friction that can slow the whale down. A whale’s breathing hole is located on the top of its

head, so it can breathe without having to completely push its head out of the water. Whales are protected

from the cold seawater by body fat that is called blubber.

Whales live in the ocean but, in terms of behaviours, they are more similar to humans than fish. They

live in family groups and they even travel in groups when they have to migrate from cooler to warmer

waters. The young stay with their parents for as long as fifteen years. Whales are known not to desert the

ill or injured members; instead, they cradle them.

When whales are in danger, there are people who go to great lengths to help them. One such case

occurred in 1988, when three young whales were trapped in the sea. It was close to winter and the sea had

begun to freeze over. Whales are mammals that require oxygen from the air, so the frozen ice was a great

danger to them. All they had then was a tiny hole in the ice for them to breathe through. Volunteers from

all over soon turned up to help these creatures. They cut holes in the ice to provide more breathing holes

for the whales. These holes would also serve as guides for the whales so that they could swim to warmer

waters.

(Adapted from http://www.englishdaily626.com?reading_comprehension)

Question 1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of this passage?

A. Some remarkable similarities of whales to humans.

B. Whales as the only animals to live in warm water.

C. Whales as the largest, gentlest but vulnerable creatures.

D. Successful attempts to rescue whales all over the world.

Question 2. Whales can move easily in water thanks to their

.

A. size and head

B. tail and skin

C. skin and head

D. tail and blubber

Question 3. Where is the whale’s breathing hole located?

A. On its tail

B. On its face

C. On its head

D. On its back

Question 4. According to paragraph 2, the author mentions all of the following to show that whales “are

more similar to humans” EXCEPT

.

A. they do not desert the ill or injured members.

B. the young stay with their parents for almost fifteen years.

C. they live in family groups and travel in groups.

D. they do not migrate from cooler to warmer waters.

Question 5. The word “tiny” in paragraph 3 probably means

.

A. very fat

B. very deep

C. very small

D. very ugly

Question 6. The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to

.

A. warmer waters

B. the whales

C. guides

D. holes