PART 3: READING COMPREHENSION (6pts)
A. Read the passage and choose the best answers. (2pts)
The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell
In America, two monuments symbolize the ideal of freedom that the country holds dear. The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell represent freedom in different ways. The Statue of Liberty brings about feelings of hope for freedom to immigrants who enter the USA. The Liberty Bell commemorates the struggle for freedom that marks America’s past.
In the past, the Statue of Liberty was the first thing people saw when their boats approached America. The statue stands over 45 meters tall. It was given as a gift to the United States in 1885 by France. The date was chosen to mark the centennial of the establishment of the United States.
The sculpture is made of copper. The internal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the famous tower bearing his name in Paris. The statue is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. In her right hand Lady Liberty holds a torch. It is meant to light the way of freedom across the land. In her left hand she holds a tablet with the date 1776 inscribed on it. This is to commemorate the year America declared its independence from Great Britain. It is possible to go inside the statue. Many people enjoy climbing the stairs to enter her head and torch.
The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is most famous for being rung on July 8, 1776. It was rung to summon citizens for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was also rung in 1774 to announce the opening of the first Continental Congress. Inside the bell is cast an inscription from the Bible’s Leviticus 25:10. This passage states, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The Liberty Bell was originally cast in 1752. It got its famous crack in 1753 the first time it was rung.
In 1965, the FBI uncovered a plot by terrorists to destroy the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell. But these attacks on the symbols of freedom were quickly stopped.
1. The word commemorates in the passage is closest in meaning to ___________.
A. celebrates
B. commences
C. destroys
D. claims
2. The word her in the passage refers to ____________.
A. the Liberty Bell
B. the famous tower
C. the statue
D. America
3. According to the passage, why did France give the Statue of Liberty to the United States?
A. To pay off a debt.
B. To build up the friendship between both countries.
C. To make New York Harbor look nicer.
D. To celebrate the hundred-year birthday of America.
4. When is the Liberty Bell most famous for being rung?
A. On July 4, 1776.
B. On July 8, 1776.
C. On December 25, 1776.
D. On January 1, 1776.
5. Who intended to attack the symbols of freedom?
A. Gustave Eiffel.
B. Citizens.
C. The FBI.
D. Terrorists.
