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 from $1$ to $10.$
Line Before the mid-nineteenth century, people in the United States ate most foods only in season.
Drying, smoking, and salting could preserve meat for a short time, but
the availability of fresh meat, like that of fresh milk, was very
limited; there was no way to prevent spoilage. But in $1810$ a French inventor named Nicolas Appert developed the cooking-and-sealing process of canning. And in
$5$
$1850's$ an American named Gail Borden developed a means of condensing
and preserving milk. Canned goods and condensed milk became more common
during $1860's$, but supplies remained low because cans had to made by
hand. By $1880$, however, inventors had fashioned stamping and
soldering machines that mass-produced cans from tinplate. Suddenly all
kinds of food could be preserved and bought at all times of the year.
$10$
Other trends and inventions had also helped make it possible for
Americans to vary their daily diets. Growing urban populations created
demand that encouraged fruit and vegetable farmers to raise more
produce. Railroad refrigerator cars enable growrs and meat packers to
ship perishables great distances and to preserve them for longer
periods. Thus, by the $1890's$, northern city dwellers could enjoy
southern and western strawberries, grapes, and tomatoes,
$15$
previous available for a month at most, for up to six months of the
year. In addition, increased use of iceboxes enable families to store
perishables. An easy means of producing ice commercially had been
invented in the $1870's$, and by $1900$ the nation had more than two
thousand commercial ice plants, most of which made home deliveries. The
icebox became a fixture in most homes and remained so until the mechanized refrigerator replaced it in the $1920's$ and $1930's$.
$20$
Almost everyone now had a more diversified diet. Some people continuted
to eat mainly foods that were heavy in starches or carbohydrates, and
not everyone could afford meat. Nevertheless, many families could take
advantage of previously unavailable fruits, vegetables, and dairy
products to achieve more varied fare.
$1.$ What does the passage mainly discuss?
$A.$ Causes of food spoilage
$B.$ Commecial production of ice
$C.$ Inventions that led to changes in the American diet
$D.$ Population movements in the nineteenth century.
$2.$ The phrase "in season" in line $1$ refers to
$A.$ a kind of weather $B.$ a particular time of year
$C.$ an official schedule $D.$ a method of flavoing food
$3.$ The word "prevent" in line $3$ is closest in meaning to
$A.$ estimate $B.$ avoid $C.$ correct $D.$ confine
$4.$ During the $1860's$, canned food products were
$A.$ unavailable in meal areas $B.$ shipped in refrigerator cars
$C.$ available in limited quantities $D.$ a staple part of the American diet
$5.$ It can be inferred that railroad refrigerator cars came into use
$A.$ before $1860$ $B.$ before $1890$ $C.$ after $1900$ $D.$ after $1920$
$6.$ The word "them" in line $13$ refers to
$A.$ refrigerator ears $B.$ perishables $C.$ growers $D.$ distances
$7.$ The word "fixture" in line $18$ is closest meaning to
$A.$ luxury item $B.$ substance
$C.$ commonplace object $D.$ mechanical device
$8.$ The author implies that in the $1920's$ and $1930's$ home, deliveries of ice
$A.$ decreased in number $B.$ were on an irregular schedule
$C.$ increased in cost $D.$ occurred only in the summer
$9.$ Which of the following types of food preservation was NOT mentioned in the passage?
$A.$ Drying $B.$ Canning
$C.$ Cold storage $D.$ Chemical additives
$10.$ Which of the following statements is supported by the passage?
$A.$ Tin cans and iceboxes helped to make many foods more widely available.
$B.$ Commercial ice factories were developed by railroad owner.
$C.$ Most farmers in the United States raised only fruits and vegetables.
$D.$ People who lived in cities demanded home delivery of foods.