I.S.P. "Dr. Joaqun V.

Gonzlez"
Departamento de Ingls
Curso de Consolidacin
Docente a cargo: Lic. Daniela Fiorina
Name: .

Reading Comprehension Exercise # 206

Below the passage, you will find a number of questions or unfinished statements about the
passage, each with four suggested answers or ways of finishing. You must choose the
one which you think fits best. Give one answer only to each question. Show your choice
by circling a letter. Read the passage right through before choosing your answers.

Whatever may be said against mass circulation magazines and newspapers, it can hardly be
argued that they are out of touch with their readers daydreams, and therefore the inducements they
hold out to them must be a near accurate reflection of their unfulfilled wants and aspirations. Study
these and you will assuredly understand a good deal of what it is that makes society tick.
Looking back, for example, to the twenties and thirties, we can see that circulation managers
unerringly diagnosed the twin obsessions which dominated that era of mass unemployment
economic insecurity and a passionate concern for the next generation. Thus it was that readers were
recruited with offers of free insurance policies for the one, and free instant education for the other.
The family whose breadwinner lost an eye in a double railway derailment, or an arm in a flood, could
confidently expect to collect several hundred pounds from the Daily This or the Evening That. The
family who could not afford to send their son to grammar school could find consolation in equipping
him with the complete works of Shakespeare in one magnificent, easy to read volume.
After the war the need to fall into step with the new consumer society was soon realized. If you
were flanked by neighbours who, unlike you, could afford a holiday abroad, then winning an easy
competition could set you up with a fortnight in an exotic sunspot. Dishwashers, washing-machines,
slow-cookers and deep-fat-friers were and still are- available by the same means.

1. The writer finds the study of gifts and prizes interesting because it
A.
B.
C.
D.

shows the power of the popular press.

reveals social trends.
confirms his view of human nature.
exposes journalistic dishonesty.

2. Why did newspapers in the 1920s and 1930s offer their readers gifts?
A.
B.
C.
D.

To
To
To
To

spread popular education.

increase their circulation.
improve social conditions.
increase their readers ambitions.

3. What does the choice of gifts tell us about the circulation managers?
A.
B.
C.
D.

They despised their readers.

Their interests were rather serious.
They understood their readers.
They enjoyed being powerful.

4.
Why were readers in the 1920s and 1930s attracted by free insurance
policies?
A.
B.
C.
D.

They were afraid of being unable to work.

Jobs were more dangerous then.
They had bigger families to look after.
Money was given away with the policies.

5. Why were books a popular gift?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The books could be passed on to the next generation.

The books were special editions for children.
Parents could save money on school expenses.
People wanted to do their best for their children.

6. Why did holidays abroad became a common prize after the war?
A.
B.
C.
D.

People became more interested in material possessions.

Everyone wanted the opportunity to travel.
Group travel became easier.
People wanted to get away from familiar surroundings.